Elbow Dislocation

What is Elbow Dislocation 

Elbow dislocation is when the bones in your elbow joint are moved out of place. Three bones come together to form your elbow:

• The humerus. This is the bone in your upper arm.
• The radius and ulna. These are the two bones in your forearm that form the lower part of your elbow.

This injury may be caused by falling on your arm when you are reaching out with it, or it can be caused by a car accident. Your doctor will move your elbow back into place.

Follow these instructions at home:

If you have a splint or sling:

• Wear the splint or sling as told by your doctor. Remove it only as told by your doctor.
• Loosen the splint or sling if your fingers tingle, become numb, or turn cold and blue.
• Do notlet the splint or sling get wet if it is not waterproof.
• Keep the sling or splint clean.

Bathing

• Do nottake baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your doctor says it is okay. Ask your doctor if you can take showers. You may only be allowed to take sponge baths for bathing.
• If your splint or sling is not waterproof, cover it with a watertight plastic bag when you take a bath or a shower.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

• If directed, put ice on the injured area.
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times per day.
• Move your fingers often to avoid stiffness and to lessen swelling.
• Raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down.

Driving

• Do notdrive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
• Ask your doctor when it is safe to drive if you are wearing a sling or splint on your arm.

Activity

• Rest your elbow as told by your doctor.
• Return to your normal activities as told by your doctor. Ask your doctor what activities are safe for you.
• Do range-of-motion exercises only as told by your doctor.

General instructions

• Do notput pressure on any part of the splint until it is fully hardened. This may take many hours.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• Do notuse any tobacco products. These include cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or e-cigarettes. Tobacco can delay bone healing. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• Your pain gets worse.
• Your splint or sling gets damaged.

Get help right away if:

• You lose feeling in your arm or hand.
• Your arm or hand turns white and cold.

Elbow Dislocation Rehab

Ask your health care provider which exercises are safe for you. Do exercises exactly as told by your health care provider and adjust them as directed. It is normal to feel mild stretching, pulling, tightness, or discomfort as you do these exercises, but you should stop right away if you feel sudden pain or your pain gets worse. Do notbegin these exercises until told by your health care provider.

Stretching and range of motion exercises

These exercises warm up your muscles and joints and improve the movement and flexibility of your elbow. These exercises also help to relieve pain, stiffness, numbness, and tingling.

Exercise A: Assisted forearm rotation, supination

1. Sit with your left / right elbow bent in an “L” shape (90 degrees) and rest your forearm on a table.
2. Keeping your upper body and shoulder in place, roll your forearm so your palm faces upward. When you cannot go farther, use your other hand to help roll your forearm until you feel a gentle to moderate stretch.
3. Hold this position for __________ seconds.
4. Slowly release the stretch and return to the starting position.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.

Exercise B: Assisted forearm rotation, pronation

1. Sit with your left / right elbow bent in an “L” shape (90 degrees) and rest your forearm on a table.
2. Keeping your upper body and shoulder in place, roll your forearm so your palm faces down on the tabletop. When you cannot go farther, use your other hand to help roll your forearm until you feel a gentle to moderate stretch.
3. Hold this position for __________ seconds.
4. Slowly release the stretch and return to the starting position.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.

Exercise C: Passive elbow extension

1. Lie on your back on a firm bed. Make sure that you are in a comfortable position that lets you relax your arm muscles.
2. Place a folded towel under your left / right upper arm so your elbow and shoulder are at the same height.
3. Extend your left / right arm so your elbow and hand do not rest on the bed or towel.
4. Let the weight of your hand straighten your elbow. Keep your arm and chest muscles relaxed. You should feel a stretch on the inside of your elbow.
5. If told by your health care provider, increase the intensity of your stretch by adding a small wrist weight or hand weight.
6. Hold this position for __________ seconds.
7. Slowly return to the starting position.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.

Exercise D: Assisted elbow extension

1. Hold your left / right arm at your side and straighten your elbow as much as you can using your left / right arm muscles.
2. Straighten the left / right elbow farther by gently pushing down on your forearm with your other hand until you feel a gentle stretch on the inside of your elbow.
3. Hold this position for __________ seconds.
4. Slowly return to the starting position.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.

Exercise E: Assisted elbow flexion

1. Hold your left / right arm at your side and bend your elbow as much as you can using your left / right arm muscles.
2. Bend the left / right elbow farther by gently pushing up on your forearm with your other hand until you feel a gentle stretch on the outside of your elbow.
3. Hold this position for __________ seconds.
4. Slowly return to the starting position.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.