Overview
An elbow sprain stretches or tears stabilizing ligaments without the joint remaining out of position. An elbow dislocation occurs when the joint surfaces separate. Both usually follow a fall or force that travels through an outstretched arm with a twisting component.
A complete dislocation is an emergency. Do not try to force the elbow back into place.
Simple and Complex Dislocations
- A simple dislocation does not include a major fracture, although ligaments are injured.
- A complex dislocation includes one or more fractures and may be less stable.
- A subluxation is a partial loss of alignment and may cause a recurrent shifting sensation.
Warning Signs
The elbow may look deformed, swell rapidly and become extremely painful. Nerves and blood vessels cross the joint, so numbness, weakness, a pale or cold hand, or an absent pulse requires immediate emergency care.
Treatment and Recovery
Medical care restores alignment and checks for fractures and neurovascular injury. A splint protects the joint initially. Once stability permits, guided movement is often introduced to reduce stiffness; prolonged immobilization can make it difficult to regain extension.
More complex injuries may require surgery to repair fractures or restore stability. Return to lifting and sport depends on joint stability, motion, strength and the specific tissues injured—not a single universal timeline.
When to Seek Care
Treat suspected dislocation as an emergency. A less dramatic sprain still deserves assessment if swelling is substantial, motion is restricted, the elbow repeatedly gives way, or symptoms followed a significant fall.
References
- AAOS OrthoInfo. “Elbow Dislocation.” https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/diseases--conditions/elbow-dislocation/
- StatPearls. “Elbow Dislocation.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549817/