Funny Bone, Serious Problem

Part 2 in a Series   Elbow dislocations are quite painful and often times accompanied by other injuries. ED providers caring for a patient with an elbow dislocation must be sure to properly examine and x-ray patients prior to putting an elbow back in place. Be wary of the associated complications to dislocations including fractures and nerve or artery injury. Soft tissue damage and swelling are also very common.   Acute elbow dislocation.Photo by Martha Roberts   Like many relocations, slow and steady traction and countertraction with your magical and carefully calculated combination of sedation and analgesia is the hallmark treatment. Relocation procedures require a special closeness with your patient that involves trust because they can require brute force. They should always be completed with the assistance of another provider and carefully explained to the patient before starting the procedure. A sling and sometimes a posterior splint may be necessary to assist with the healing and stabilization process.   Orthopedic follow-up is mandatory because this is a major joint injury. Transient ulnar neuropathy, with the findings of altered sensation involving the ring and little fingers, and hypothenar eminence occurs in approximately 10 percent of cases. Median nerve injury occurs less frequently and is characterized by severe pain not relieved by elbow relocation.    Acute elbow dislocation.Photo by Martha Roberts   Note that the Merck Manual suggests that most elbow d...
Source: The Procedural Pause - Category: Emergency Medicine Tags: Blog Posts Source Type: blogs