Operative Treatment of Elbow Fractures and Dislocations in Adults

HA, Sang Ho; Lee, Sang Hong; Shin, Dong Min; Pyo, Young Bae; Kim, Pan Ok

Abstract

The elbow is highly constrained and stable joints in the body, but dislocation is not uncommon due to trauma such as traffic accident and sports injury. The relative incidence of associated fractures in previously reported series of elbow dislocations has ranged from 12% to 62%. Post-traumatic sequelae of the elbow fractures and dislocations are joint stiffness, nerve injury, non-union and heteroDopic ossification. Operative procedures for repair and reconstruction of the injured elbow are technically demanding and require careful planning. Because of the proximity of crucial neurovascular structures, a thorough knowledge of the anatomy and extensile exposure is essential. Thirteen adult patients with elbow dislocation associated with fractures about the elbow from June 1990 to June 1995 who had taken operative treatment were studied. The results were as follows ; 1. Most common direction of dislocation is posterior(8 cases) and most common associated fracture is radial head & neck fracture(7 cases). 2. Most common and disabling complication is limitation of motion(7 cases). 3. By the Mehlhoffs criteria, with regard to limitation of motion, pain, instability and neurovascular deficit, relatively good results are obtained at 9 cases(69%). 4. For better functional results, early reduction of dislocation, stable fixation of fracture and early motion is essential option in the management of elbow fractures and dislocations.