What movements can cause an elbow dislocation?

An elbow dislocation commonly occurs due to specific mechanisms of injury, particularly those involving significant forces applied to the arm. The option that identifies hyperextension or severe rotational force while the elbow is flexed highlights the vulnerability of the elbow joint in these specific scenarios.

When a fall occurs, particularly with the elbow in a flexed position, the forces can destabilize the joint, leading to dislocation. Hyperextension can also apply excessive stress on the structures surrounding the elbow, resulting in a dislocated position when paired with other forces, such as rotation.

Other mechanisms mentioned, while they do involve significant forces, may not be as directly linked to typical elbow dislocation patterns. For example, while FOOSH (falling onto an outstretched hand) with axial loading can indeed cause elbow dislocation, particularly in extension, the combination of hyperextension or severe rotational force in flexion is often recognized as a more common and critical mechanism leading to dislocation. This combination places the elbow at high risk due to the anatomical arrangement and stability factors, making this option the best representation of movements that can cause such an injury.