J Korean Fract Soc.  2000 Jan;13(1):186-192. 10.12671/jksf.2000.13.1.186.

Surgical Treatment of the Fracture and Dislocation of the Elbow and Early Controlled Mobilization

• Kim YK
• Kang KY

• KMID: 2100097
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jksf.2000.13.1.186

Abstract

PURPOSE
: To assess the results according to the injury types of fracture-dislocation of the elbow and to evaluate the stability after early controlled mobilization.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
: Twenty-two patients were managed with open reduction and internal fixation, sometimes using the compass hinged external fixator. Most common direction of dislocation was posterior(46%) and most common associated fracture was radial head and neck fracture(36%). patients were treated with various methods regarding the types of fracture and immediate mobilization using the hinged functional brace.
RESULTS
: Of 11 cases associated with radial head fracture. 9 cases had excellent or good results and 2 cases combined with concomitant other fracture had fair results. Of 5 cases associated with olecranon fracture, 2 cases with severe comminuted fracture had fair or poor results. All of 6 cases associated with coronoid or medial condyle fracture had good results. Late instability was not observed in any of 22 cases.
CONCLUSION
: This study revealed that more combined lesion and comminution of the fracture had worse functional results. Late instability from immediate controlled mobilization was not observed.

Keyword

Elbow; Fracture and dislocation; Rigid fixation; Early mobilization

MeSH Terms

Braces
Dislocations*
Early Ambulation
Elbow*
External Fixators
Fractures, Comminuted
Head
Humans
Neck
Olecranon Process