Background The present report describes subluxation and dislocation of the elbow with articular fracture of the distal humerus and injury to the medial collateral ligament, a type of elbow fracture-dislocation about which little is available in the literature. Methods Twenty-two patients with subluxation or dislocation of the elbow (with injury to the medial collateral ligament) and a fracture of the distal humerus articular surface (capitellum/trochlea) were identified. Seventeen patients had a minimum of 12 months follow-up and eight patients returned for a long-term follow-up at a median of 36 months (range 12 months to 154 months) after injury. Results Nine patients had one or more subsequent surgeries. Seven patients had surgery to address complications and two had a planned implant removal. The final median arc of elbow flexion was 120° (range 100° to 145°) and the median arc of forearm rotation was 175° (range 150° to 180°). The median Broberg and Morrey score was 88 points (range 63 points to 100 points) and the median Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand score was 9 points (range 1 point to 43 points). Discussion Some elbow dislocations and subluxations are associated with osteochondral fractures of the distal humeral articular surface.