A case report of divergent elbow dislocation of a child during school sports drill

Abstract

Divergent dislocation of elbow is a rare injury with few reports or short series. These dislocations require prompt diagnosis with careful evaluation of radiographs and emergent reduction and splinting. Axial force overflexed or semi-flexed elbow may be initial mechanism that dislocates the elbow and propagation of force then separates radius and ulna as in our case. Injury in school drills are usually minor, but complex dislocation may occur in events involving somersault and backflips requiring caution for the prevention and urgent management. We, hereby, describe relevant details of transverse divergent elbow dislocation in a 10-year-old child with appropriate management leading to uneventful recovery and satisfactory functional outcome.