Acute elbow dislocations: simple and complex.

The elbow is the second most common joint dislocated in adults. Up to 20% of dislocations are associated with fractures. Treatment principles are reduction of the joint, stabilization of associated fractures, and early motion. Ligament repairs or reconstruction and hinged external fixators are necessary in some cases to restore stability for early motion. In general, simple dislocations have a better prognosis than complex dislocations (fracture-dislocations).