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HomeSummaryReview of the conditionConsidering surgeryPreparing for surgeryTiming Costs Surgical team Finding an experienced surgeon Facilities About the procedureRecovering from surgeryRehabilitationConclusion

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Home « Clinical Services « Trauma

Surgical and non-surgical treatment for dislocation of the elbow

Last updated Friday, July 29, 2005

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Preparing for surgery

Timing

For simple elbow dislocations, the elbow should be reduced as soon as possible. This is accomplished with adequate sedation and gentle traction, along with manual realignment of the joint.

Complex elbow dislocations should also undergo closed reduction as soon as possible to realign the joint as best as possible. If surgery is deemed necessary, it should be performed within the first week following injury before significant scarring and stiffness occurs. This enables the surgeon to see the injury more clearly during surgery.

Costs

The surgeon’s office should provide a reasonable estimate of:

•   The surgeon’s fee,
•   The hospital fee, and
•   The degree to which these should be covered by the patient’s insurance.

Surgical team

Elbow fracture-dislocation surgery is technically demanding. There are relatively few surgeons who have extensive experience performing the procedure. Patients should inquire as to the number of elbow surgeries the surgeon performs each year and the number performed at the medical center each year.

Finding an experienced surgeon

Surgeons specializing in elbow fracture-dislocation surgery can be located through university medical schools, county medical societies, or other state orthopaedic societies.

Facilities

Elbow fracture-dislocation surgery is usually performed in medical centers where they are done regularly and have teams and facilities specially designed for this type of surgery. These teams include nurses and therapists who are accustomed to assisting patients in their recovery.

Surgery for Simple and complex elbow dislocations. at the University of Washington

If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-598-4288 (outside the Seattle area: 800-440-3280) to make an appointment.

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