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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffSome dislocated elbows go back into place by themselves. Most, however, need a doctor to manipulate the bones back into their proper alignment. This procedure is called a reduction.
Medications
Before the bones are manipulated back into place, you or your child may be given medications to relieve your pain and to help you relax.
Therapy
After the joint's bones are back in their normal alignment, you or your child may have to wear a splint or sling for a few weeks. You may also need to do physical therapy exercises to improve the joint's range of motion and strength.
Surgery
Surgery may be required if:
- Any of the dislocated bones have also been broken
- Torn ligaments need to be reattached
- Damaged nerves or blood vessels require repair
- 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.
- Elbow dislocations and fracture-dislocations. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00029. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- 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.
- Kuhn MA, et al. Acute elbow dislocations. Orthopedic Clinics of North America. 2008;39:155.
- 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.
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