Elbow Dislocation: Symptoms and Recovery Insights

Elbow dislocation

Hello Doctor, on December 11, 2015, while playing basketball, I jumped and collided with another person, resulting in a fall where I landed on my left arm, causing an elbow dislocation.
At that time, I managed to pull my arm back myself and went to the emergency room.
The doctor only took an X-ray, confirming that the bone was back in its original position, but there was severe hematoma in the elbow.
However, the doctor did not mention the need for surgical treatment and only applied a cast for two weeks, after which I began rehabilitation.
It has now been a month, and I still experience pain at the inner and outer sides of the elbow ligaments.
The hematoma has almost resolved, but when I relax my arm while walking, the elbow joint feels unstable.
When I flex my elbow to shoulder level, I experience weakness and a sensation of slight dislocation, but the joint feels stable when I exert force with my forearm muscles.
I would like to ask the doctor if this is a normal symptom after a dislocation and whether I should seek further treatment.

Shane, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2016/01/13

Dr. Chen Yongxue reply Orthopedics

Hello, elbow dislocation is quite common.
In most cases, it can be reduced back into place without the need for surgical intervention.
Only a small percentage of patients may have associated ligament injuries that lead to joint instability, which would require ligament reconstruction.
It is recommended that you follow up at an orthopedic outpatient clinic for further evaluation.
Thank you.

Reply Date: 2016/01/13

More Info

Elbow dislocation is a common injury that can occur during sports or physical activities, and it often results in significant pain, swelling, and instability in the joint. Based on your description, it seems that you experienced a left elbow dislocation in December 2015, which was treated conservatively with a splint and rehabilitation. Now, you are experiencing lingering symptoms, including pain around the ligaments, a feeling of instability in the joint, and weakness when trying to lift your arm.

Understanding Symptoms Post-Dislocation
1. Pain and Swelling: After an elbow dislocation, it is common to experience pain and swelling due to the trauma to the joint and surrounding tissues. The fact that your hematoma has mostly resolved is a positive sign, indicating that the initial inflammation is subsiding.

2. Instability: The sensation of instability you are feeling in your elbow could be attributed to several factors. After a dislocation, the ligaments that stabilize the joint may be stretched or partially torn, leading to a feeling of looseness. This can be particularly noticeable when the arm is relaxed or in certain positions.

3. Weakness: The weakness you describe when trying to lift your arm could be due to muscle atrophy or weakness resulting from disuse during the recovery period. Additionally, if the ligaments are not fully healed or are compromised, this could contribute to the feeling of weakness.

Recovery Insights
Recovery from an elbow dislocation can vary significantly from person to person. While some individuals may regain full function and strength within a few weeks, others may experience prolonged symptoms. Here are some important considerations for your recovery:
- Physical Therapy: Engaging in a structured rehabilitation program is crucial. A physical therapist can help you strengthen the muscles around your elbow, improve range of motion, and restore stability to the joint. They may use specific exercises to target the forearm and elbow muscles, which can help alleviate feelings of weakness and instability.

- Follow-Up Care: It is essential to have regular follow-ups with your healthcare provider or an orthopedic specialist. They can assess the stability of your elbow and determine if any further imaging, such as an MRI, is necessary to evaluate the ligaments and cartilage for any potential injuries that may not have been visible on the initial X-ray.

- Activity Modification: While you may be eager to return to sports or physical activities, it’s important to listen to your body. Avoid activities that exacerbate your symptoms until you have fully recovered and received clearance from your healthcare provider.

- Surgical Consideration: In some cases, if conservative treatment does not lead to improvement and if there is significant instability or ligament damage, surgical intervention may be necessary to repair the ligaments and stabilize the joint.

Conclusion
In summary, the symptoms you are experiencing after your elbow dislocation are not uncommon, but they warrant further evaluation and possibly additional treatment. It is advisable to consult with your healthcare provider to discuss your ongoing symptoms and determine the best course of action for your recovery. With appropriate rehabilitation and monitoring, many individuals can regain full function and strength in their elbow over time.

Similar Q&A

Understanding Elbow Dislocation Recovery: Muscle Atrophy and Imaging Insights

Hello, doctor. It has been almost a month since my elbow dislocation on March 16 (with a cast for two weeks). Aside from being unable to fully extend my arm and having less than 90 degrees of motion (I have been doing home rehabilitation for two weeks), I can feel a noticeable at...

Dr. Zheng Shunping reply Rehabilitation
Hello: In response to your question, there are several possible causes of atrophy: 1. Disuse atrophy: caused by prolonged inactivity. 2. Atrophy resulting from damage to the vascular, neurological, or muscular systems. It is important to first assess whether your neuromuscular sy...

Dealing with Elbow Dislocation: Recovery Challenges and Solutions

Hello, on March 16, I dislocated my right elbow while exercising. I was taken to the emergency room and had a cast applied at a 120-degree angle. Two weeks later, the cast was removed (X-rays indicated it had healed). However, my elbow still has limited mobility (it can only exte...

Dr. Pan Yingda reply Rehabilitation
It won't be permanent. This is due to tissue injury combined with the immobilization from the cast, which leads to some adhesions and inflammatory responses, along with poor circulation and muscle atrophy, resulting in a different shape. You should arrange for rehabilitation...

Understanding Elbow Injuries: Insights on Ligament Damage and Recovery

Hello, doctor. I was in a car accident about five weeks ago, and I have two symptoms: a Colles' fracture in my left hand and a ligament injury in my right hand. Today, I mainly want to ask about the condition of my right hand. The accident occurred in another city, where I e...

Dr. Wang Zhaomin reply Rehabilitation
Injury to the lateral ligaments of the wrist can indeed lead to limited joint mobility. However, based on the description in your message, it is difficult to understand the true situation. A physical examination on-site, along with relevant physical and clinical assessments, is n...

Understanding Elbow Injuries: Symptoms, Recovery, and Rehabilitation Tips

Hello, doctor. I fell while riding my bicycle and used my left hand to brace myself against the ground. After that, I started experiencing pain, and now I can't fully extend or bend my arm. If I try to apply some force to bend or extend it completely, I feel a strange sensat...

Dr. Li Yongheng reply Orthopedics
Hello: Based on your symptoms, there is a high possibility of a ligament injury. It is recommended that you visit an orthopedic clinic for an examination. Generally, ligament injuries take about 4-6 weeks to heal. Wishing you a speedy recovery.