Lateral elbow dislocation with medial epicondyle fracture in a kabaddi player: A case report of rare association

Abstract

Lateral elbow dislocation is a rare injury with few reported cases. Most elbow dislocations are posterior and many have associated fractures of either humeral condyles. The medial epicondyle fracture in the setting of lateral elbow dislocation is a rare injury pattern. We report a case of lateral elbow dislocation with medial epicondyle displaced fracture in a 15-year-old male patient following a contact-sports-related injury. The elbow was reduced in the emergency and the medial fracture was fixed later with a pin and screw. There was no ulnar nerve injury associated primarily with the injury and was also not observed after surgery or during follow-up. The functional outcome was good and fracture united uneventfully. The patient had stable elbow with good range of motion and no clinical instability noted in the follow-up of 13 months. There was, however, gradual loosening of the screws noted in the follow-up and implants were removed at 9 months. There was 10° of cubitus valgus noted at last follow-up and the Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 90 depicting excellent outcome. The lateral elbow dislocation requires careful identification and exclusion of any associated nerve injury, soft tissue injury or bony fracture or their incarceration. The standard management and early rehabilitation leads to the optimum outcome.