S53: Dislocation, sprain and strain of joints and ligaments of elbow

S53.2: Traumatic rupture of radial collateral ligament

3 bones meet at the elbow. These are the humerus and the two bones in the forearm. These are called the ulna and the radius. In the elbow there are several joints between these 3 bones. This is how we are not only able to bend and stretch the arm, but also able to twist the forearm, for example when driving in a screw. Various ligaments attach the ulna and the radius to the humerus and to each other.

You have torn the ligament between your humerus and your radius. This happens, for example, with sudden violent movements, as in an accident. The injury can cause pain in the arm, for example. It may also be that you are unable to move your arm properly.