An elbow sprain is stretching or tearing of the ligaments that
stabilize the elbow. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that
cross joints and connect bones to each other. Copyright ©
Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. Elbow sprains may be caused by: A
risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a
disease, condition, or injury. Risk factors for an elbow sprain:
If you felt your elbow dislocate (or "pop" out of the joint),
tell your doctor right away. The treatment for a dislocation is
different than a sprain. The doctor will ask about your symptoms
and how you injured your elbow. The doctor will examine your
elbow to assess the stability of the joint and the severity of
the injury. Tests may include: Elbow sprains are graded
according to their severity. Elbow sprains usually occur from
accidents that cannot be prevented. American Academy of
Orthopaedic Surgeonshttp://www.aaos.org American Orthopaedic
Society for Sports Medicinehttp://www.aossm.org/tabs/index.aspx
Canadian Orthopaedic Associationht