Unreduced dislocation of the elbow: case report and review of the literature.

A case report of an unreduced dislocation of the elbow requiring late open reduction is presented, and the literature is reviewed. Early reduction of elbow dislocation, by closed or open means, is of paramount importance if good functional results are to be obtained. Closed reduction of an elbow dislocation is unlikely to be successful if attempted later than 21 days after the injury. The results are acceptable if open reduction is undertaken within 3 months of the injury, but after 6 months the results are disappointing and arthroplasty is an alternative.