J Korean Fract Soc.  2000 Jan;13(1):178-185. 10.12671/jksf.2000.13.1.178.

Results of Treatment of Fracture-Dislocations of Elbow

• Kim DS
• Hwang SH
• Kwon CS
• Ahn JK
• Jung BH
• Sung YB
• Yum JK
• Chung HJ

• KMID: 2100096
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jksf.2000.13.1.178

Abstract

PURPOSE
: This study analyzed clinical and biomechanical data from patients with elbow fracture dislocation to correlate long-term objective result with the specific injury type and treatment rendered. This can provide a basis for the management of this difficult injuries.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
: Fifteen patients with elbow dislocation were studied from October, 1992 to October, 1997 in Sang-Gye Paik Hospital. The average duration of follow up was 4.2 years.
RESULTS
: On the basis of an objective functional grading score that included elements of pain, motion, strength, and stability, the results were excellent in five(33%), good in five(33%), fair in one(7%), poor in four(27%). Prolonged immobilization greater than four weeks was associated with poor results. The results were closely related to the combined injuries and duration of immobilization. In case of radial head fractures, the best result was obtained in patients with Mason type II fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation using Herbert screw and early complete radial head excision. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION : The most common combined injury is radial head fracture. Early complete radial head excision and encouraging early ROM had more satisfactory result than delayed radial head excision or internal Fixation for Mason type III fracture.

Keyword

Elbow; Fracture Dislocation; Early radial head excision

MeSH Terms

Dislocations
Elbow*
Follow-Up Studies
Head
Humans
Immobilization