An elbow dislocation can be partial or complete, and the difference affects symptoms, stability and treatment. A partial dislocation, or subluxation, means the joint surfaces have lost normal alignment without separating completely. A full dislocation involves complete separation and usually causes more obvious deformity and loss of movement. 

What Is a Partial Elbow Dislocation?

A partial elbow dislocation is medically known as an elbow subluxation. The bones forming the joint move partly out of their normal position but remain in some contact with each other.

Because the displacement is incomplete, the symptoms can sometimes be less dramatic than with a complete dislocation. A person may still be able to move the elbow to some degree, although pain, clicking, restricted movement or a feeling of instability can occur.

Clinical reviews describe subluxation as part of the spectrum of elbow instability. It may occur when ligaments around the joint are damaged enough to allow partial displacement but not complete separation. 

Do not assume that a partial dislocation is a minor injury. Ligaments, cartilage and surrounding structures can still be damaged, and persistent subluxation may lead to ongoing instability.

What Happens With a Full Dislocation?

A full elbow dislocation occurs when the joint surfaces separate completely. The radius and ulna of the forearm move out of their normal position in relation to the humerus in the upper arm. 

Symptoms are usually more obvious and may include:

• Severe pain

• Significant swelling

• Visible deformity

• Inability to bend or straighten the elbow

• Bruising

• Numbness or tingling in the hand or fingers

A complete dislocation normally needs urgent medical treatment to restore the joint to its correct position. Healthcare professionals call this procedure a reduction.

Elbow dislocations can also be classified as simple or complex. A simple dislocation does not involve a major associated fracture, while a complex dislocation occurs alongside a fracture of one or more bones around the elbow. 

This distinction can be more important for treatment than whether the joint initially looked particularly dramatic.

How Are Partial and Full Dislocations Diagnosed?

Both injuries require proper assessment because symptoms alone cannot always reveal the full extent of the damage.

A clinician will ask how the injury occurred and examine the elbow's movement, shape and stability. They should also check circulation and nerve function in the arm and hand.

X-rays are commonly used to assess alignment and look for associated fractures. More advanced imaging, such as an MRI or CT scan, may be considered when significant ligament damage, subtle fractures or continuing instability are suspected.

A partial dislocation can occasionally be harder to identify because the elbow may have moved back towards its normal position before assessment. Patients may report clicking, locking, pain or a sensation that the elbow is slipping rather than an obvious deformity. 

Seek urgent medical attention after an elbow injury if the arm has changed shape, is extremely painful and difficult to move, or develops persistent numbness or tingling. 

Does Treatment Differ?

Treatment depends on how stable the elbow is after the injury and whether fractures or significant ligament damage are present.

After a full dislocation, the joint usually needs to be reduced. Once it is back in position, the elbow may be supported temporarily with a sling or splint while the specialist assesses stability and plans rehabilitation.

Early controlled movement is often encouraged once it is safe because the elbow can become stiff relatively quickly. Cambridge University Hospitals notes that treatment aims to get the elbow moving as soon as possible, with physiotherapy used when appropriate. 

A stable partial dislocation may also be treated without surgery using activity modification, temporary support and rehabilitation. However, recurrent subluxation or persistent instability may indicate more significant ligament damage and require further specialist investigation.

Surgery may be considered for complex fracture-dislocations, joints that remain unstable after reduction or significant ligament and bone injuries. The goal is to restore enough stability for safe movement and rehabilitation.

Get an Elbow Injury Properly Assessed

The main difference is straightforward: a partial dislocation means the joint surfaces remain partly in contact, while a full elbow dislocation means they separate completely. Both can damage important stabilising structures, so neither should be dismissed without proper assessment.

If your elbow feels unstable, continues to click or slip, or you are recovering from a recent dislocation, contact London Shoulder and Arm. A specialist assessment can identify the extent of the injury and determine the most appropriate treatment and rehabilitation plan.