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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Signs and symptoms of a dislocated elbow commonly include:

  • Extreme pain
  • Obvious distortion of the joint

In some cases, the elbow may be only partially dislocated, which can cause bruising and pain where the ligaments were stretched or torn.

When to see a doctor
Seek immediate medical attention if you or your child has experienced a dislocated elbow.

References
  1. Khan SO, et al. Elbow dislocations in the adult athlete and pediatric patient. In: DeLee JC, et al. DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/172412241-3/919462328/2079/36.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3143-7..00019-1--s1270_2729. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
  2. Elbow dislocations and fracture-dislocations. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00029. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
  3. Geiderman JM, et al. Elbow dislocations. In. Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..00049-9--s0350&displayedEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..00049-9--s0355&uniq=172423062&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&sid=919484592. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
  4. Kuhn MA, et al. Acute elbow dislocations. Orthopedic Clinics of North America. 2008;39:155.
  5. Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Nov. 24, 2009.
DS01165 Feb. 20, 2010

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