Bilateral Elbow Dislocation After Trauma in a Healthy Adult Female.

Amro A Abdelrahman,Ibrahim Mohamedosman A Elfaki,Moayad A Elgassim,Khalid Y Fadul,Mohamed Abdelgadir M Elgassim

doi:10.7759/cureus.21029

Abstract

Bilateral elbow dislocation is a rare injury. We report a rare case of a simultaneous bilateral traumatic elbow dislocation in a 28-year-old previously healthy Kenyan female. Initial clinical assessment and plain radiographs showed the possibility of an associated fracture at the right capitulum. CT scan demonstrated bilateral fractures at the capitulum simultaneously. This case was managed conservatively through a closed reduction under procedural sedation as a joint effort of orthopedics and the emergency department. Three days later, the left above elbow backslap was removed and the patient was discharged on analgesics and referred to the outpatient clinic for regular follow-up and physiotherapy. At seven weeks, the patient reported improvement of pain bilaterally and mild stiffness at the right elbow that is continuing to improve with physiotherapy.

Highlights

The elbow joint is the second most commonly dislocated joint in adults
We report a case of bilateral elbow dislocation with the patient's elbows being flexed during the impact of the trauma
CT imaging revealed bilateral fractures of the capitellum, with the elbow joint being correctly positioned, with no need for surgical intervention and the decision by the orthopedics team was to go for conservative treatment for elbow fracture bilaterally

Summary

Introduction

The elbow joint is the second most commonly dislocated joint in adults. The most frequent mechanism is by fall with outstretched hands with the posterolateral dislocation being the most common type. A 28-year-old lady of Kenyan origin, who is a maid by occupation, was brought to the emergency department with a history of falling out of a chair and landing on her hands with both her elbows in flexed positions. She had no previous history of dislocations or joint laxity, and she had no known chronic medical illness or surgical history. CT imaging revealed bilateral fractures of the capitellum, with the elbow joint being correctly positioned, with no need for surgical intervention and the decision by the orthopedics team was to go for conservative treatment for elbow fracture bilaterally Her backslabs were removed and she was referred to their outpatient clinic. Her follow-up in one week showed a full range of motion and function in both elbows with no further complaints

Discussion

Limitations

Conclusions

Disclosures