Overview
Congenital elbow dislocation, unilateral, is a rare condition present at birth in which one of the baby's elbows is out of its normal joint position. In a healthy elbow, the bones of the upper arm (humerus) and forearm (radius and ulna) fit together snugly to allow smooth bending and straightening. In this condition, one or more of these bones are displaced from their normal alignment on one side of the body. This can affect the child's ability to fully bend, straighten, or rotate the affected arm. The condition may be noticed at birth or during early infancy when a parent or doctor observes limited movement in one arm, an unusual shape or angle of the elbow, or the child favoring one arm over the other. In some cases, the dislocation may be associated with other skeletal abnormalities or connective tissue differences, though it can also occur in isolation. Treatment depends on the severity of the dislocation and how much it affects the child's arm function. Mild cases may be monitored over time with physical therapy to maintain range of motion and strengthen surrounding muscles. More significant dislocations may require surgical intervention to reposition the bones and stabilize the joint. Early diagnosis and treatment generally lead to better functional outcomes. Orthopedic specialists experienced in pediatric limb conditions are the primary providers of care for this condition.
Key symptoms:
Limited bending or straightening of one elbowVisible deformity or unusual angle at the elbowReduced ability to rotate the forearm (turning palm up or down)One arm appears shorter or different from the otherFavoring one arm over the other during play or reachingStiffness in the affected elbowDifficulty carrying objects with the affected armMild pain or discomfort with certain movementsSwelling around the elbow jointClicking or popping sensation in the elbow
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Congenital elbow dislocation, unilateral.
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Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Congenital elbow dislocation, unilateral.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Congenital elbow dislocation, unilateral.
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
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Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How severe is my child's elbow dislocation, and which bones are affected?,Will my child need surgery, or can this be managed with therapy alone?,What is the expected range of motion my child can achieve with treatment?,Could this be part of a larger genetic condition, and should we see a geneticist?,How often will my child need follow-up visits as they grow?,Are there specific activities my child should avoid to protect the elbow?,What signs should I watch for that would require urgent medical attention?
Common questions about Congenital elbow dislocation, unilateral
What is Congenital elbow dislocation, unilateral?
Congenital elbow dislocation, unilateral, is a rare condition present at birth in which one of the baby's elbows is out of its normal joint position. In a healthy elbow, the bones of the upper arm (humerus) and forearm (radius and ulna) fit together snugly to allow smooth bending and straightening. In this condition, one or more of these bones are displaced from their normal alignment on one side of the body. This can affect the child's ability to fully bend, straighten, or rotate the affected arm. The condition may be noticed at birth or during early infancy when a parent or doctor observes
At what age does Congenital elbow dislocation, unilateral typically begin?
Typical onset of Congenital elbow dislocation, unilateral is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.