Elbow dislocation secondary to fall during police arrest.
A case of total elbow dislocation with significant swelling and loss of distal pulses during police arrest is described. To date, this specific injury in relation to police arrest has not been described in the literature. Whilst attempting to remove the detainee from a public transport vehicle, the patient and the officers involved fell to the ground with his arm slightly flexed. He was handcuffed to the rear and taken to the police office. Whilst there, it was noted that his left elbow was swelling dramatically and he complained of pain. The detainee and officers attended the emergency room and he was found to have a total dislocation of the left elbow and vascular compromise of the limb. The elbow was promptly reduced with sedation and a post reduction angiogram demonstrated injury to the tissues surrounding the brachial artery.
Emergency Department, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 84 Castle Street, Glasgow G4 0SF, UK. Electronic address: richard.stevenson@nhs.net.
R J
RJ
Stevenson
Emergency Department, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 84 Castle Street, Glasgow G4 0SF, UK.
K
K
Clark
Emergency Department, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 84 Castle Street, Glasgow G4 0SF, UK.
T
T
Kelliher
D000058:Accidental Falls; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008349:Manipulation, Orthopedic; D016495:Police; D011859:Radiography; D055815:Young Adult; D000092464:Elbow Injuries
Arrest; Brachial artery; Elbow dislocation; Police