He twisted his elbow in the opposite direction. Dislocation of the elbow joint and its treatment. Diagnosis and treatment

The elbow joint is a connected work of three joints:

brachioradialis, responsible for flexion and extension of the radius;
humeroulnar, responsible for flexion and extension of the forearm;
ulnar, responsible for the rotation of the radius and rotation of the forearm.

Traumatic dislocation in the shoulder joint

Causes of dislocation of the elbow joint

Indirect injury, when the place of application of force is distant from the injured joint.
Direct injury, characterized by a blow to the joint area.
Accidental pulling (dislocation in this case is possible only in young children under three years old).

In connection with this classification, dislocations are open (a blow to a bent elbow) and closed (a fall on an extended arm).

There is another classification of causes for dislocation. It:

falling from height,
automobile and other types of accidents,
injuries occurring at high speed.

In the photo you can see how badly the joint is damaged.

X-ray with dislocation of the elbow joint

Symptoms of a dislocation in the elbow

Symptoms and manifestations of a dislocated elbow can vary from person to person.

severe pain in the elbow
immobility in the joint, sharp pain when you want to move your hand,
the appearance of puffiness
lack of sensitivity, loss of pulse below the elbow,
rupture of the joint capsule
on palpation, you can feel the head of the radius, if the bone is felt from the front, this is a posterior dislocation, if from the back, then vice versa,
a sharp increase in body temperature,
chills or fever
numbness in the elbow.

What should you do if such a misunderstanding happened to you, and you became a victim of an accident?

In this case, first aid should be instantaneous to avoid complications. For this you should:

Apply ice or a cold compress to the injured area.
Check pulse.
Press alternately on the nail plates. Under normal conditions, they should brighten after pressing, and after a few seconds they should return to their usual pink color.
Check nerve function.
- to check the radial nerve, bend the hand in the area of \u200b\u200bthe wrist;
- to check the ulnar nerve spread the fingers apart;
- to test the medial nerve, bring the thumb to the little finger.
Check skin sensitivity. To do this, touch the areas from the hand to the elbow.
But we should not forget that it is impossible to delay in such cases. This can lead to the fact that the consequences will bother for a very long time. Therefore, an examination by a traumatologist is necessary.

Diagnosis and treatment

After a medical examination, the doctor prescribes a diagnosis, which may include the following:

Carrying out radiography. Used to eliminate the possibility of a fracture.
Carrying out an arteriogram (contrast x-ray examination of the vessel) or ultrasound.
Examination by a neurologist. It is necessary to determine the mobility of the hand.
Pulsometry.

Treatment of dislocation of the elbow joint is a rather complicated process. After diagnostic examinations, the doctor performs several procedures.

Firstly, it is a relocation, in other words, a reduction. The damaged joint returns to its place. Before starting this process, an anesthetic is administered to reduce the pain of the victim.
- The reduction of the posterior dislocation is carried out using the method of flexion and reflexion. (First, the joint is stretched, and then it is flexed).
- With an anterior dislocation of the elbow, the joint is flexed as much as possible, and then it is sharply shifted back.
Secondly, immobilization, in other words, fixation of the damaged joint in order to exclude any movement in it. This can be done with a tight bandage or cast.
Thirdly, the restoration of ligaments. The most complex process, which may even require surgical intervention.
With open dislocations, splinting may be prescribed.

All these procedures can affect the further development of the joints and their mobility. Therefore, delay in such cases is categorically unacceptable.

How is recovery going?

After the first treatment is carried out, there is a long recovery period. Rehabilitation should take place only under the close supervision of a doctor. This is due to the fact that the doctor can cancel some procedures in time or prescribe others. The rehabilitation process includes:

Therapeutic gymnastics, otherwise it is called exercise therapy.
Physiotherapy. Various types of heating, as well as procedures associated with exposure to the affected area with current.
Massage. There are different types of massage: direct, indirect, with the help of appropriate devices. The doctor determines the most acceptable and suitable for you.
A proper balanced diet is essential.
Vitamin therapy. Particular attention should be paid to the use of calcium and magnesium.

All the time while the recovery is going on, you will have to do bandages. They are:

kerchief;
bandage;
tubular (using a tubular bandage).

They are necessary in order to provide sufficient rest to the damaged joint, to reduce the load on it to a minimum. This is done so that injured cartilage does not receive additional damage during recovery.

The most commonly used are kerchief bandages.

Scarf bandages

Folk remedies during the rehabilitation period

When restoring the work of the joint, one should not forget about the methods of traditional medicine, which are very effective during this period.
If you want to get back into the ranks of healthy people as soon as possible, you can apply these simple tips to make the recovery process much more successful.

Milk compresses. Gauze is soaked in hot milk and applied to the damaged area. Milk is known for its fast healing properties due to the presence of casein in it, which has a regenerative ability.
Onion porridge can serve as a good remedy for removing puffiness. The onion is crushed in a blender or using a meat grinder, this is added to the mass of granulated sugar. The gruel is applied to the sore spot for six hours, then the composition changes to a new one.
A good antiseptic is wormwood. Folk healers recommend applying porridge from wormwood leaves to the problem area. It is made by analogy with onion porridge.
It is also useful to apply compresses made in the form of tincture on a bay leaf.
Propolis compress also has a good healing effect. Propolis is insisted on moonshine or vodka, then gauze soaked in this infusion is applied to the sore spot.

Development of the damaged joint

After the pain is removed, you need to learn how to develop a hand after a dislocation. If you do not start doing this immediately, it will be impossible to restore the previous mobility in the future.

There are several exercises:

To determine if the hand has lost its obedience, you need to clench your hand into a fist. Now take a piece of plasticine and start kneading it. It will be quite difficult at first. The exercise should be repeated daily for a month, three times a day.
You can try throwing a tennis ball against a wall and catching it. However, care must be taken not to make too sudden movements with the hand.

Development of the elbow joint on the device

What to do if a child sprained his arm

Still, the problem with dislocation of the elbow in adults is not as dangerous as in children. After all, the child's body is not yet fully formed and, of course, the presence of a dislocation can lead to extensive changes in the structure of bones and joints.

Injury to the joint in children should never be ignored. The algorithm of treatment and the rehabilitation process will be carried out by analogy with the complexes of procedures for adults, but the following should be said.

Sometimes in children there is a subluxation of the elbow joint. This is especially true for children aged three to four years. Usually such an injury occurs when pulling on the hand. The radial head comes out of the fossa, which is accompanied by severe pain and limitation of movement in the joint.

The mechanism of occurrence of subluxation is shown in the figure.

Origin mechanism

First aid consists in laying your hand on a scarf in order to eliminate excessive tension in the muscles of the joints, their mobility and avoid negative consequences in the future. Then the child should be taken to the hospital.

Animals can also suffer from dislocation

Considering such a phenomenon as a dislocation in the elbow, we must remember our smaller brothers. Dislocation of the joint in dogs is most often manifested in lameness on one or two paws at once.

Congenital dislocations and subluxations occur in animals due to genetic defects and improper joint structure. Often these are dislocations of the patella, elbow and hip joint. But sometimes injury occurs, as in humans, as a result of an accident.

What should you do if your beloved pet suddenly limps?

Do not attempt to correct the dislocation yourself. This is very painful. And if a person can still explain the need for his actions, then you cannot prove this to an animal. And as a result, it can simply bite you, and then you will have to be treated, not the dog.
Before the arrival of the veterinarian, the animal should be immobilized. Put him in a cage, a box, put him on a leash.
In no case do not crush the sore paw, do not pull, do not shift the animal.
It is desirable to place ice in the damaged area.
Do not feed your dog as anesthesia may be needed.
Get your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

The main method of treatment is reduction, followed by fixation.

If you do not set the dislocated joint within two days, the consequences can be very deplorable.

The joint will gradually collapse, and the voids at the site of the former joint will be filled with blood clots. A week later, it will no longer be possible to do a normal reduction, only surgery will be required.
Most often, arthrodesis is done - the bones that form the joint are crossed. In extreme cases, it is necessary to resect, in other words, to remove the joint. If your pet is injured, don't waste your time, take him to the hospital.

Prevention of dislocation in people is caution and again caution. Take care of your joints, take care of them, and then you will not have to go to the doctor and experience discomfort.

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No matter how colorful our life is, sometimes situations occur that unsettle us. These are some psychological problems, lack of money, just a bad mood or something else. But, of course, health problems can rightfully be considered the most unpleasant of this long list, regardless of whether it happened to us or to our loved ones. One of these most unpleasant situations is a dislocation of the arm at the elbow.

joints

There are three types of bone connections:

immovable suture (for example, in the skull),
semi-movable cartilage (this way the vertebrae are connected,
a movable joint that allows a person to perform a full range of various movements.

The joints connect the humerus and collarbone, which makes it possible to raise and lower the arm; the femur and pelvis (the so-called hip joint), thanks to which we walk and raise our legs. And this is only a part of the huge number of important joints that allow a person to do the things that he likes, whether it's dancing or sports, sewing or another hobby.

But one of the most important joints, thanks to which we make hand movements, is, of course, the elbow. With its help, a person is able to bend or unbend the arm at the elbow by one hundred and forty degrees! Therefore, with injuries of this joint, a person’s life ceases to be full until it is fully restored. Dislocation is a very unpleasant problem that constantly threatens him.

The structure and functions of the elbow joint

In order to figure out what to do with a dislocated elbow, you need to understand its structure. A joint connects three bones at once. Two of them are located in the forearm area: the radius (its narrow end goes to the elbow, and the wide end to the wrist) and the ulna (on the contrary, the narrow part goes to the wrist, and the wide part goes to the elbow, hence the name). And one in the shoulder area - the humerus.

The reasons

The cause of dislocation of the elbow joint is the wrong application of force. The influence can be direct, that is, directly on (direct injury), or indirect (indirect injury). For example, the first impact can be attributed to an accidental blow with a hammer to the elbow, and the second - a fall on the palm with the transfer of force through the forearm. Sometimes a dislocation occurs with a sharp movement of the arm.

But the latter case is very rare and most likely to occur in people who are predisposed to such an injury. For example, such prerequisites include weakness of the ligamentous apparatus of the elbow joint, flattening of the semilunar notch of the ulna. In addition, people who rarely play sports are much more likely to get a dislocation than trained people.

Dislocation in children

Dislocation of the elbow in a child is accompanied by the same symptoms as in an adult. Only in children there is one more circumstance in which he can get injured. This situation, which is familiar to many, is commonly called "nanny's elbow." When a child walking down the street with an adult stumbles and starts to fall, the parent or other accompanying person is likely to grab the elbow. Agree, in adults this happens ... less often. But this is fraught with unpleasant consequences, so you can’t do it!

Symptoms

In general, it is unlikely that a person with a dislocation will get up (if he fell), waving his arm and, as an example, go to catch butterflies. Recognizing an injury is fairly easy. But even if you make a mistake and the symptoms of a dislocated elbow will be accompanied by another injury, it will not be superfluous to consult a doctor. Because all these signs will not speak of a completely healthy limb. Now to the symptoms of a dislocated elbow.

Unnatural arm angle. For example, the palm is severely twisted, but there is clearly no injury to the wrist. However, here long explanations will be superfluous, it is noticeable. The shape of the elbow itself may also be unnatural. For example, the head of the joint protrudes or the upper end of the forearm has gone above the place where it should be.
and/or the whole hand. Loss of motor ability of the hand (or several times worse pain during flexion, extension at the elbow, moving the fingers, raising the arm, supination and pronation). In the elbow joint (as in any other) there is a huge number of nerve endings, so the injury is unlikely to go unnoticed by the nervous system. She, noticing something was wrong, will quickly try to transmit a signal about the violation to the brain, and the person who is "lucky to earn" a dislocation of the elbow will find out about it in the form of pain, most likely severe.
In addition to pain, loss of sensation and numbness in the area of injury are also possible.
At the same time, fever, chills will not be unusual.

First aid

Let's imagine a situation that we have a person lying in front of us, who, by all indications, has a dislocation of the elbow. What to do? First of all, you should calm down, push your emotions aside and act according to the following rules (attention, the rules are recommendations, not complete instructions).

It is forbidden! In any case, you can not independently adjust the hand! This should only be done by a specialist and after careful research.

In addition, if the dislocation is accompanied by bleeding (for example, caused by an open fracture accompanying the dislocation), measures should also be taken to stop the bleeding. With arterial (scarlet blood, pulsating stream) - a tourniquet above the place of outpouring of blood and a bandage on the wound. With venous (dark blood, poorly poured out) - a tourniquet below the bleeding, also a bandage. Be sure to sign the time and date of applying the tourniquet in both cases and put it under the tourniquet itself! In case of bleeding, be sure to contact an ambulance.

In trauma

Here is a person who was injured, taken to the hospital and enters the traumatologist's office. First of all, the doctor makes an external examination, if necessary, checks the sensitivity of the hand. After this, the sufferer is necessarily sent for x-rays (two pictures are taken - from the side and from the front) so that the doctor can determine the type of dislocation, whether it is accompanied by any other injuries and other information important for treatment. Sometimes, during radiography, a contrast agent is injected into the joint capsule, which allows you to make more accurate conclusions about the condition of the elbow and arm as a whole.

Below in the photo is a dislocation of the elbow (X-ray, side view) can be studied.

After the X-ray, the traumatologist decides what to do next. In the event that only a dislocation is observed, most likely, the joint will be reduced under local or general anesthesia (local - the introduction of an anesthetic, for example, novocaine, to eliminate pain in a certain area; general - putting a person to sleep for a certain time). After that, they are sent for a control x-ray, the limb (in case of successful reduction) is fixed with plaster at an angle of 90 degrees and secured with a bandage through the neck.

They also take x-rays from a different angle. The front view can be seen in the photo below.

But in some cases, surgery is required. Most often this happens if the dislocation is accompanied, for example, by an open fracture. In some operations, fixing elements are also used - titanium spokes, plates. After the operation, the hand is also immobilized. Next, you need to wear a cast on your arm for some time (regardless of whether there was surgery or not). Usually this time is 2-4 weeks. During this period, the joint should be overgrown with new tissue in those places where the past was broken.

Recovery

Already behind all the torment - the plaster was removed. But no matter how it is ... After a dislocation of the elbow, recovery is necessary. The fact is that even after successful overgrowth of the injury, the limb cannot instantly regain all motor functions. Therefore, you need to help her in this. First of all, this, of course, is exercise therapy - physiotherapy exercises. In this case, a person performs all the necessary gradually increasing the load. Naturally, all this is carried out under the supervision of a doctor.

Auxiliary procedures are massage and other physiotherapy (magnetic, laser therapy, ultrasound). The entire recovery period can be carried out while being on an outpatient or inpatient basis. During inpatient treatment, the patient lies in the hospital, where he undergoes a recovery period. And when outpatient - regularly visits her.

Consequences of a dislocated elbow

After injury, other pathologies may develop. For example, osteoma is a benign tumor of bone tissue, inflammation of the ulnar nerve. In addition, it is not always possible to return the former mobility to joints that have suffered such an injury, especially if it happened in combination with others. It is also possible for the joint to react to a sharp change in atmospheric pressure - aching pain, weakness.

Conclusion

A dislocation is a dangerous injury. It is better, of course, not to receive it at all, but you cannot protect yourself from everything. Therefore, it is always better to know how this happens and what to do in this case, so as not to harm, and even better to help the person who has received this injury.

The elbow is extended at an angle of about 140°, and the joint area is expanded from front to back. The ulnar process (olecranon) stands sharply posteriorly; above it is a groove with tension of the triceps muscle (triceps); when pressing a finger on the groove, the finger goes deep, but does not probe the bones of the shoulder. The head of the beam is often even visible to the eye and is easily felt under the skin during rotational movements of the forearm, posterior to the projection of the humerus. The smooth articular surface of the block is often well palpable in front. The relationship of the classic points on the elbow from the back and palmar sides is violated compared to the healthy side: instead of an isosceles triangle (at an angle of 140 °), 3 points lie almost in one straight line, and, depending on the height of the olecranon (olecranoni) , its apex can even stand above the line connecting the condyles. At the same time, the distance of the latter to the top is increased. Spring resistance remains even in anesthesia, because the coronoid process serves as an obstacle to flexion, resting against the posterior fossa above the block and forming a fulcrum for the two-arm lever, the upper end of which stretches the triceps muscle.

The reduction of the dislocation of the elbow (elbow joint) proceeds from the principle of hyperextension in the types of release of the coronoid process. Resting the elbow on his knee, the surgeon unbends the injured limb, stretches it along its length and then flexes at the elbow. Posterior dislocations of the elbow (elbow joint) sometimes allow successful repositioning even after quite a long time (several months).

Lateral dislocations of the elbow (elbow joint) usually represent a variation of the posterior in terms of the underlying mechanism. If, when falling on an outstretched arm, the end part of the forearm deviates to the lateral or medial side, then its upper end dislocates posteriorly and inwardly or posteriorly and outwardly; the first happens more often in view of the normal valgus of the elbow joint. These dislocations, which are more complex in clinical manifestations, give a shift and an incorrect relationship of recognition points, are accompanied by rupture of ligaments and separation of bone protrusions. Accurate recognition of them at first is hampered by extensive hemorrhage, enveloping the site of injury. X-rays are especially useful here. The reduction comes from the main hyperextension and lateral pressure on the displaced protrusions from one side or the other.

The procedure for reducing a dislocated elbow (elbow joint) is performed under intravenous anesthesia.

Anterior dislocation of the elbow

Rare anterior dislocation of the elbow (elbow joint) usually occurs when falling on the elbow with excessive flexion. Distinguish between incomplete dislocation, when the olecranon stands against the block of the humerus, and complete dislocation, when it stands in front of the block of the humerus. Quite often at the same time there is also a fracture of an olecranon. Repositioning them in the presence of a large rupture of the capsule is not particularly difficult when stretched with pressure from front to back on a bent forearm.

Divergent dislocation (lux. cubiti divergent), resulting in the elbow (elbow joint) with significant effort due to the wedge-shaped introduction of the humerus between the bones of the forearm after rupture of the interosseous and annular ligaments, is very rare. Reduction due to large ruptures of the bag is easy. In difficult cases, each bone of the forearm requires a separate reduction: extension and traction - the ulna, direct pressure with rotation - the radius.

An isolated or separate dislocation of the elbow (elbow joint) posteriorly occurs from a fall on an excessively extended and abducted forearm. It is determined by almost the same clinical signs as posterior dislocations of both bones. But, due to the upward displacement of the medial bone while the lateral bone remains in place, the hand forms a medial shortening and an angle open inwards (cubitus varus). Rotation of the forearm inward (pronation) and outward (supination) are possible.

The dislocation of the ulna is reduced posteriorly by stretching the inverted (supinated) forearm with simultaneous straightening of the lateral angle and extension of the elbow. All three of the last dislocations of the elbow (elbow joint) are very rare. Their exact determination is facilitated by fluoroscopy. Of the isolated dislocations of the elbow (elbow joint), a separate dislocation of the head of the beam, which occurs from a direct blow from back to front or from the outside, is much more important. But it can also occur with an indirect effort - due to a strong pronation of the forearm (twisting the arm), and the annular ligament is torn. Most often, a dislocation of the beam is obtained forward and outward, when its head lies on top of the external condyle of the shoulder. Clinically, the forearm is in a position of flexion and pronation and forms an angle with the shoulder, open outwards - cubitus valgus. The head is palpable in the elbow crease - in front of or above the external condyle of the shoulder - and is recognized by its shape and rotation during pronation and supination. The rear recognition points of the elbow are not displaced. This dislocation of the elbow (elbow joint) is often preceded by a fracture of the upper third of the ulna. Reduction of the elbow is usually easily achieved with extension, external rotation (supination), and extension by the forearm and with direct pressure on the head. But with the same ease, the head pops up again when moving. The torn parts of the bag and the annular ligament prevent it from being firmly held in place. Holding the head in place is best aided by a fixation bandage during inward rotation (pronation) and flexion of the forearm at a very acute angle at the elbow. With an irreducible dislocation of the elbow (elbow joint), the obstacle has to be removed promptly - sometimes even by resection of the head.

Elbow dislocation- this is an injury to the elbow as a result of which the elbow is hyperextended. The articular surface of the forearm is displaced relative to the humerus.

The formation of this phenomenon is directly related to the pressure of one's own body weight on the hand, for example, when falling.

The elbow joint is united by three articular joints, the humerus, ulna and radius.

The bones are connected by special connective ligaments that ensure the mobility of the arm, and external interference leads to their complex dislocation.

Dislocations of the elbow joint are divided into anterior, posterior and lateral in the direction of the bend. The most common occurrence was posterior dislocation, rarely lateral, and anterior isolated dislocation is considered the rarest injury to the elbow joint.

The bend of the joint is directly related to the sharp pressure of its own weight when falling on an outstretched arm back or forward. Anterior dislocation occurs when a person falls on a bent elbow, but this is extremely rare.

Not only your own weight can cause a dislocation, it can be a strong blow to the joint.

Dislocation of the elbow joint, like any severe injury, immediately manifests itself in a number of symptoms:

Severe pain in the elbow area, and with a severe bruise, the pain syndrome spreads to the entire arm
Pain on movement
Swelling and redness, even if soft tissues are not affected
Numbness of the hands or tingling in the affected limb
Deformation and change in the shape of the joint
Unnatural bend of the hand

These are signs that are visible to the naked eye, but the doctor for an accurate picture during a detailed examination must identify the presence of a rupture of the joint capsule, palpate the joint, and determine the position of the joint head. With a dislocation, the pulsation of the radial artery also slows down, this may indicate its pinching.

Soft tissue damage is manifested by the same symptoms, but the pain disappears after a few days, and with dislocation without fixing the joint, the pain does not disappear at all.

The reasons

There are few reasons and all of them are directly related to the strong environmental impact.

Joints are very strong areas and only strong action can lead to dislocation and injury.

The main factors of dislocation of the elbow joint include:

Elbow injury
Damage of an indirect nature, the localization of which is far from the site of the damaged joint
Arm extensions, only in children under three years of age

Mostly in adults, an elbow joint injury is associated with a fall from a height, a car accident, or impact at high speed.

Kinds

The cause of the injury, the displacement of the bone, as well as a number of other factors make it possible to divide the dislocations of the elbow joint into several types.

The classification of dislocation is divided into types according to the displacement of the bone:

1) Posterior - the joint is displaced backwards. Such an injury is possible when falling on an outstretched arm or a strong bend.

2) Front - shift occurs forward. This happens when you hit or fall on a bent arm.

3) Lateral - the bone and the adjacent joint are turned sideways. So, when falling, it is not easy on an outstretched hand, but also laid aside at the same time.

4) Fractured dislocations - there is a dislocation of the joint with an extensive fracture of the radius.

In addition, dislocation can be not only acquired by external influence, but also congenital. Pathologies of intrauterine development are extremely rare. According to the complexity and associated injuries, they are divided into traumatic and non-traumatic.

Traumatic dislocations accompany violations of the integrity of soft tissues and tendons, damage to nerve endings and blood vessels.

According to the time elapsed since the injury, dislocations are divided into fresh, stale and chronic.

Also, in addition to primary dislocations, pathologically chronic dislocations are considered after several injuries of one localization.

The main division of types of dislocation is considered to be injuries according to the nature of the damage.

Posterior dislocation of the elbow- the bend of the elbow joint occurs at 140 degrees, which limits mobility in any movements. Pain with such an injury is felt with any touch. On palpation of the damaged area, the head of the radius is clearly felt, which in most cases can be seen even with a visual examination.

Habitual dislocation of the elbow This injury is permanent. Weakened ligaments and connective tissue can not withstand the loads, and the dislocation is repeated regularly. This pathology is observed extremely rarely.

In addition to a congenital defect, post-traumatic changes in the joint and periarticular tissue lead to habitual dislocation. Only strengthening the bone and eliminating the root cause of fragility leads to recovery.

Chronic dislocation of the elbow joint- It is customary to consider an injury received 2 or more weeks before contacting a specialist as an old injury. Such a dislocation is reduced under anesthesia, and, unfortunately, it is fraught with serious consequences for the body and future arm mobility.

Open dislocation of the elbow joint- blows to the bent elbow lead to open dislocation, while damage to soft tissues occurs with exposure of the head of the bone. Such a dislocation is treated only surgically.

How is a dislocated elbow treated?

The main methods of treatment include conservative therapy and surgical intervention. The principle of treatment depends on the symptoms and individual characteristics of the organism.

A sparing method is the reduction of the elbow joint under local or general anesthesia.

During surgical treatment, having access to blood vessels, ligaments and soft tissues, not only the dislocated joint is reduced, but also damage to the periarticular tissues is eliminated.

For high-quality treatment and a favorable recovery process, a patient with joint dislocation is shown a complex of therapeutic actions, regardless of the method of treatment.

First of all, the damaged joint is set in place, and the arm is fixed with a plaster splint.

The immobilized arm should be at rest for about 10 days. This is exactly what is needed for the natural regeneration of bone tissue and connective ligaments.

After removing the fixation, in order to restore mobility and full functionality of the hand, a long-term rehabilitation is necessary. Even with a fixing splint, simple movements with the fingers of the affected hand are allowed so as not to disturb blood circulation and exclude soft tissue necrosis.

During rehabilitation, in addition to a set of exercises for limb development, various physiotherapy procedures are recommended:

Massage
Ultrasound
Magnetotherapy
Laser treatments

It is important to know that massage in the affected area is highly undesirable. In this case, massage of the hand and shoulder of the arm will be effective.

Just like most injuries, a dislocation cannot be heated. Heat can cause complications or aggravate the condition of the soft tissues surrounding the joint.

In the first hours after the injury, cold is shown, it will relieve inflammation and relieve pain. But even with cold, you should be careful and do not apply a cold compressor for more than 30–40 minutes.

There is no drug treatment for dislocation as such, only auxiliary preparations to strengthen the body, vitamin complexes and calcium preparations to strengthen bones.

In the first three days after the injury, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs are allowed.

Often, dislocation of the elbow joint is treated with folk methods. After reduction, there is a long recovery period, and folk remedies are indispensable during this period.

Popular and effective auxiliary methods include compresses on herbs and familiar products:

1. Onion gruel. Chopped onions are mixed with granulated sugar and applied to the damaged area for 5-6 hours. This remedy can relieve severe inflammation and extensive swelling in a day.

2. Wormwood-grass. The gruel of the medicinal plant is applied to the damaged area to relieve pain and inflammation.

3. Milk compress. Hot milk, although it does not relieve puffiness, helps regenerate connective tissue and promotes rapid healing.

4. Infusions. Tinctures on laurel leaves and propolis on alcohol help to restore the affected ligaments. Bandages are soaked in the liquid and, without tightening, wrap the elbow.

Rehabilitation after dislocation of the elbow joint

The rehabilitation period is considered the most difficult and main stage in the healing of the elbow joint.

Recovery must be supervised by a specialist in order to prescribe additional procedures in a timely manner or cancel ineffective methods that may have the opposite effect.

To restore a damaged elbow is widely used:

Massage - it can be manual, indirect and direct massage using additional devices.
Therapeutic exercise includes a general strengthening program and methods for restoring mobility after a joint dislocation.
Physiotherapy procedures - magnetic and laser therapies, ultrasound sessions. All this helps speedy healing and rapid regeneration.
Proper nutrition - in case of dislocation, a balanced diet rich in vitamins and microelements is recommended.
Calcium - to strengthen bones and connective tissue, calcium and magnesium preparations are recommended, as well as foods that are rich in this element.
Preventive dressings - after removing the plaster splint, it is dangerous to leave the arm unfixed.

In addition, a healing joint needs rest.

Using an elastic bandage or bandage can reduce unnecessary stress on the injured elbow. Remove the bandage only during sleep.

Consequences of a dislocated elbow

It is possible to avoid the consequences and complications after a dislocation of the elbow joint in the case of a timely visit to a doctor and correctly provided first aid.

A favorable outcome of the injury is possible in the absence of damage to the nerves and blood vessels. Minor soft tissue injuries will not be an obstacle to full recovery.

There is a risk of joint mobility disorders if the prescribed regimen is not observed or there is no proper rehabilitation period. There is also a risk of developing osteoarthritis, in which the damaged joint wears out faster than natural aging.

With proper rehabilitation, a person will soon return to his usual way of life, this will not affect his performance, and the former strength will return to the hand.

In medicine, the elbow joint is called the movable connection of the shoulder bone with the radius and ulna bones of the forearm. The displacement of the joints of the movable joint occurs due to dislocation of the elbow joint. According to statistics, the displacement of the elbow joint is the most common traumatic bruise. This is due to the complicated structural designs and the variety of possibilities for hand movement.

The radius, humerus and ulna, interlocking into a single structure, form the elbow joint. The spherical shape of the shoulder-beam clutch allows you to make frontal and vertical directions of movement. The shoulder-ulnar trochlear ligament provides flexion of the elbow, and the rotation and deployment of the radioulnar ligament occurs due to the shoulder-ulnar cylindrical joint.

With a dislocation, the radial and ulnar sections of the joint of the bones are shifted relative to the shoulder. Since they are interconnected by an interosseous ligament, both areas are damaged, therefore, in medical practice, such an injury is called a displacement of the forearm joint.

Elbow dislocation is divided into two main subtypes of injury:

subluxation, or partial dislocation: adhesion is maintained between the bones;
complete dislocation: all joints are separated from each other.

Typical Causes of Bias

The joint can dislocate after an indirect blow: the site of physical impact is located away from the injured (falling on the palm of an outstretched arm dislocates the elbow joint).

Direct dislocation of the joint is formed from a bruise directly into the joint, such a displacement occurs much less frequently than indirect.

A common dislocation of the elbow joint in children is a displacement of the bones from a jerk, which happens mainly due to a sharp extension of the arm. The child makes a sharp turn of the hand, and the joint is displaced.

Displacement always occurs with a rupture of the capsule, deformation of tendons, muscle structures, blood channels, perivasal plexuses of nerve fibers and can be complicated by bone destruction.

Dislocation is open and closed:

open - displacement of articulation sites with deformation of the skin and the formation of a wound;
closed - the skin is not damaged.

Also, dislocations of the elbow joint appear during a period of minor sprains and bags of the joint. This is a "habitual dislocation", it is a complicated condition of unhealed or improperly healed bone displacement: the joints are not firmly established in the joint cavity, and the displacement begins with any sharp or uncomfortable movement of the hand.

According to the direction of movement, the dislocation is classified:

lateral - the epiphyses are folded to the side. This displacement is formed after a fall on the outstretched palm set aside;
anterior - the head of the articular area moves back, occurs as a result of physical pressure on the arm bent at the elbow;
posterior - the most common type, characterized by the movement of the articular head forward. Occurs when falling on a straightened arm.

Main symptoms

The most basic symptom of a dislocated elbow is a strong pain impulse in the elbow clutch. The following signs of damage are added to the pain sensation:

limited or complete immobility of the hand;
the pain signal increases during arm tension;
severe swelling in the damaged area;
deformation of the elbow area;
decreased sensitivity to palpation, numbness of the fingers;
with the destruction of nerve fibers, paralysis of the fingers or the whole hand may occur;
fever, chills, fever.

Urgent care

Immediately after injury, it is necessary to immobilize the damaged area with a splint or bandage (hang it around the neck). First aid for dislocation of the elbow joint - cooling the site, ice compress. It is also required to urgently take a medication that reduces pain signals in order to prevent the development of pain shock.

In cases of uncomplicated dislocations, the reduction of the limb can be done independently: the reduction of the dislocation is carried out in the opposite way to the mechanism of damage, that is, if the joint is turned back, then it is necessary to move forward with a slight extension of the arm until the bone is completely set in place.

It is easier to set the bone areas if they are smaller than the reduced joint. All reduction techniques are aimed at restoring the structure of the bones due to the reverse repetition of the actions that caused the dislocation.

If the displacement occurred as a result of a fall on a straight arm (posterior dislocation), then the elbow is displaced medially and upward, to adjust the joint, the traumatologist applies force so that the bone descends laterally downward. Muscle relaxants are used for a more comfortable reduction.

Possible complications with displacement

The anatomical structure of the elbow joint is quite complex. In the ulnar cavity ( front) and the channel ( behind) are motor nerve fibers, venous and arterial vessels and arteries. Injury to the site can lead to pinching of blood vessels, damage to the venous artery, and as a result, to complete immobilization of the arm and blood loss.

Important! If urgent rehabilitation measures are not taken, tissue destruction may become irreversible. This type of injury is complicated by gangrene, loss of a significant amount of blood and sensitivity. In this case, the recovery is quite long and not always successful.

Injury diagnosis

Diagnosis is carried out by a traumatologist by palpation, visual examination and a number of instrumental methods of examination:

detection of displacement of the articular head;
checking the pulse on the ulnar and radial arteries;
subjective and objective assessment of skin sensitivity;
determination of the degree of disorganization of the peripheral circulation (checked by pressing on the nail plates).

The most popular methods of instrumental diagnostics:

X-ray examination. Pictures are taken in two projections.
CT scan. Panoramic examination of the damaged area.
Electromyography. Check for pathological deformities of muscle tissue.
Ultrasound examination. The joint capsule and the presence of hemarthrosis are checked.
Arteriogram. Checking the fluctuations created by the arterial pulse.

You may also need to consult a neurologist to determine the degree of damage to nerve vessels and endings:

compressing and unclenching the carpal area to test the functionality of the radial nerve;
clutch of the thumb and little finger - medial nerve;
extension of all fingers to detect deformity of the ulnar nerve.

Methods of treatment

Reconstruction of a damaged joint can be carried out by different methods, the choice of treatment method depends on the degree of damage, the patient's condition and the results of a general clinical examination.

How to treat a dislocated elbow:

conservative method: the displacement is reduced without operable intervention;
surgical method: used for damage to blood vessels, ligaments, tendons, traumatic damage to bone tissue.

The damaged joint is inserted into the ulnar cavity; during surgical intervention, blood vessels, bones and nerve fibers are restored.

After repositioning the bone, a plaster cast is applied to the damaged area. The area of application of the plaster splint is located from the level of the humerus to the protruding heads of the carpal bones.

In uncomplicated cases, the cast is removed after 14 days. In the event of complications, treatment continues according to clinical indications.

After removing the plaster, the process of restoring the motor functions of the injured hand begins.

Medical therapy

Elbow dislocation is always accompanied by inflammation of the muscle tissue, fiber rupture, so medication is necessary. In the first period, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antihistamines and diuretics are prescribed. After removing the plaster cast, the composition is supplemented with preparations for local rehabilitation.

Anti-inflammatory drugs:

Pirocam;
Meloxicam;
Nimesil.

These medicines will slow down the process of inflammation, reduce tissue swelling, and reduce pain reactions.

Recovery procedures

To restore motor functions, restore sensitivity and prevent the development of complications, it is necessary to undergo an individual rehabilitation program after removing the plaster cast. It includes:

physiotherapy procedures: cryotherapy, magnetotherapy, low-frequency laser therapy, diadynamic therapy, electrical stimulation;
electrophoresis;
phonophoresis;
physiotherapy;
segment direct and indirect massage.

With dislocations of the elbow joint, the restoration of bone and cartilage tissue requires certain nutrients. To do this, a balanced diet with a high protein content is regulated, multivitamin complexes, preparations based on hyaluronic acid, and rheological agents are taken.

Restorative dressings (kerchief, tubular, bandage) are applied to the injured arm for the entire rehabilitation period to stimulate blood circulation and fix weakened joints. This is a necessary measure to ensure rest in the injured area and prevent additional damage to the articular cartilage.

Important! As an auxiliary method of rehabilitation, you can use treatment with the help of alternative medicine: compresses using cabbage leaves, honey, propolis, milk, wormwood and yarrow flowers.