The instability of elbow is common among patients who suffered f ro m acute fracture or dislocation or from chronic strain. It is crucial to correct ly deal with the acute injury of the elbow, otherwise it would become chronic in stability of the elbow which is difficult to treat. This paper reviews the liter ature about the clinical representation, diagnosis and treatment of elbow instab ility. The surgical principle is to convert a complex fracture-dislocation patt ern into a simple dislocation pattern. Surgery should try to restore the anatomi c structure of the elbow, including articular surfaces and soft tissues. In inju ries to the ulnohumeral joint, reconstruction of the lateral tissues is the key to restoring joint stability. The premier treatment of recurrent instability of elbow is surgical treatment.