Dislocation of the Elbow in Children

Song, Kwang Soon; Jeon, Si Hyun; Jeon, Young Joon

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical manifestations of elbow dislocation in children and to suggest an appro-priate treatment modality for this rare injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 17 cases, treated from September 1989 to July 2000. The factors examined included; age, sex, etiology, direction, associated injuries, method of treatment, results and complications. Clinical results were evaluated using the grading system of Linscheid and Wheeler. RESULTS: The mean age was 10 years 4 months. Etiologies were; fall from a height 8 cases, slip down 7 cases and unknown 2 cases. The directions of the dislocations were posterior 14 cases, posterolateral 2 cases, and posteromedial 1 case, with no anterior dislocation. Associated injuries were noted in 14 cases (82.4%), and 8 of these cases were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. The remaining 9 cases were treated by closed reduction followed by a long arm cast. The mean period of immobilization was 3.8 weeks. One case was complicated with a myositis ossificans, which resulted in spontanous remission. Results were excellent in 15 cases, and good in 2 cases with no poor cases. CONCLUSION: The incidence of associated fractures (82.4%) was higher in this study than in previous reports. A careful examination is necessary to identify associated injuries and achieve stability with the surgical procedure, which should be followed by early active exercise.