• Daphné Jauffrit, Paul Heraudet, Meagan Tibbo, Alexandra Erbland, Yacine Carlier, Pierre Mansat, and Pierre Laumonerie.
• Department of orthopedic surgery, Hôpital Pellegrin, Bordeaux 31600 France.
• Injury. 2024 Mar 1; 55 (3): 111353111353.

PurposeThe aims of this study were to summarize (1) the historical knowledge of the posterolateral elbow dislocation (PLED) pattern and the biomechanical, radiographic, and clinical data that engendered its evolution; and (2) to help clinicians better understand the management of PLED.MethodsA literature search was performed using Ovid, Scopus and Cochrane Library, and the Medical Subject Headings vocabulary. Results are discussed as a chronologic review of the relevant literature between 1920-2022.ResultsIn 1966 Osborn and Cotterill were the first to describe posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) causing the PLED. Several theories on PLED were then published by others surgeons as our understanding of elbow biomechanics continued to improve. Multiple treatment protocols have been designed based on the aforementioned theories. Conservative and surgical treatment for PLED provides excellent functional outcomes. However, high rates of persistent pain stiffness and instability have been reported long-term, and no single approach to treatment has been widely accepted.ConclusionDespite a growing body of biomechanical evidence, there is no consensus surgical indication for the treatment of PLED. Both conservative and surgical management result in satisfactory functional outcomes after PLED. However, elevated rates of residual pain, and instability have also been described and may limit heavy labor and sports participation. The next challenge for elbow surgeons will be to identify those patients who would benefit from surgical stabilization following PLED.Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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