title: Elbow instability: the orthopedic approach.
abstract: In recent years significant progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of elbow instability. Elbow instability represents a spectrum from the acute traumatic dislocation to chronic laxity resulting in transient joint subluxation. In general, acute elbow dislocations represent the second most common joint dislocation in the adult population and the most common joint dislocation in the pediatric age group. This manuscript reviews the anatomy of the elbow joint as it relates to elbow instability. It then discusses the mechanism and classification of elbow instability and outlines treatment options available for acute and chronic elbow instability.
authors.affiliation: Scripps Clinic, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.
authors.forename: Lorenzo L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Pacelli
authors.forename: Madonna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guzman
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Botte
mesh_terms: D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D000092464:Elbow Injuries