Risk factors

• Age. Young children's elbows are much more flexible than those of adults. So it's easier for younger elbows to become dislocated.
• Heredity. Some people are born with elbow ligaments that are looser than those of most people.
• Sports participation. Many elbow dislocations are sports-related. Sports that require weight bearing with the arms, such as gymnastics floor exercise, are especially risky for elbow dislocations.