Acute Ulnar Nerve Entrapment After Closed Reduction of a Posterior Fracture Dislocation of the Elbow

We present the case of a child who had a posterior-lateral elbow dislocation with an intact ulnar nerve documented before an attempted reduction, with subsequent loss of ulnar nerve function after the elbow was reduced.Dislocations of the elbow in children represent only 3% to 6% of all elbow injuries. Posterior elbow dislocations are the most common, with more than one half involving an associated fracture about the elbow. The most common associated fracture is the medial epicondyle. Even though it is known that injury to the ulnar nerve can occur in elbow dislocations, we found only 1 other case report describing intra-articular entrapment of the ulnar nerve after an elbow dislocation.This case demonstrates several important clinical issues. First, it highlights the potential risk of ulnar nerve entrapment after closed reduction of elbow dislocations in children. Second, it confirms the importance of careful prereduction and postreduction examinations in the pediatric patient presenting with a dislocated elbow.