Elbow dislocation in sports: A narrative review

Abstract

The incidence of elbow dislocations in the normal population is approximately 6/100,000; nearly half of these cases are related to sports. Twenty-six percent of elbow dislocations have associated fractures. When all types of sports-related injuries are considered, the elbow is ranked 5th among the most common body parts injured in young athletes. Around 10%–25% of these elbow injuries are dislocations. Majority of these injuries are treated conservatively. Patients are usually fit to resume their normal functions without any significant long-term impairment after treatment. However, in a small number of patients, there is accompanying damage to the anatomical structures within the elbow joint, which aggravates the situation and deserves a more aggressive therapeutic approach and closer follow-up. Proper treatment and rehabilitation should ensure the stability of the elbow and minimize subsequent dislocations. This also prevents known complications that carry significant morbidity, can affect the athlete's performance, and hinder the progression of their careers. In this review, we covered the current literature on sports-related elbow dislocations while highlighting the role of radiology in the proper management of these patients. By reviewing the available literature, we aim to help medical practitioners to better diagnose and treat this injury and prevent its complications.