Elbow dislocations are an emergency injury. The goal of immediate treatment is to realign the elbow. Long-term goals are to regain function in the elbow.
Non-Surgical:
Elbow alignment can be restored in an emergency department of the hospital. The patient is given sedatives and pain medications. Doctors will perform a procedure called Reduction Maneuver to align the elbow.
Simple dislocations can be treated by keeping the elbow immobile in a sling for 1-3 weeks followed by early motion exercises.
Surgical:
In a complex dislocation surgery may be necessary to align bones and repair ligaments. The elbow will be placed in a external hinge to protect the elbow from dislocating again. If blood vessels and nerves were damaged in the injury additional surgery may be required.