“Can you fully recover from a dislocated elbow?”

It is possible to recover from a dislocated elbow, but it depends on the soft tissue and bony injuries associated with the injury. Most people with a simple elbow dislocation, e.g. no fracture, will lose 10 degrees of extension. Early range of motion exercises may assist in regaining full motion. However, severe injuries that have significant post reduction laxity and associate fractures may require surgical fixation and aggressive therapy to regain a functional range of motion e.g. not full prior dislocation range of motion. A specialist can review your injury, and advanced imaging, to fully determine operative vs. Non-operative couse and potential outcome.

No, scar tissue!

yes

Hi there, yes it's possible to fully recover, but it depends on the extent of nerve and muscle/tissue damage there is; an assessment of the nerves and muscles involved should be done to get a baseline once it's re-located.

There is a small window of time we have to get the tissues to re-learn how they should function after a trauma such as a dislocation; we must take advantage of that. It's advised to not ONLY go to rehab/PT, but do the exercises they tell you to do both during and after you are discharged from the outpatient office. It's important to explain to the PT/OT the goals you have, the more specific the better!

I hope this was helpful and I wish you good luck on a full recovery!

Sincerely,
Dr. Morales, D.C.

It is possible. But you must have it back in place. I recommend you get it set by an extremity professional Chiropractor like myself. Or it will get worse. Fortunately, the pain gets easier.