J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2016 Dec;51(6):521-526. 10.4055/jkoa.2016.51.6.521.

Chronic Unreduced Elbow Dislocation Treated with Hinged External Fixator and Transarticular Pin Fixation

• Bae JY
• Kim TW
• Kwak SH
• Suh KT

• KMID: 2364305
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2016.51.6.521

Abstract

Chronically unreduced elbow dislocation has commonly been described in underdeveloped countries. This is a very rare type of injury, and only two cases have been reported in Korea. Due to the potentially conflicting goals of restoring elbow stability and satisfactory function, successful treatment is a challenge even for experienced trauma surgeons. Herein, we described two cases of chronically unreduced elbow dislocation treated with open reduction and additional bony fixation using hinged external fixator and transarticular pin fixation.

Keyword

joint instability; dislocations; elbow; external fixators

MeSH Terms

Dislocations*
Elbow*
External Fixators*
Joint Instability
Korea
Surgeons

Figure

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  Figure 1 Lateral and anteroposterior radiographs of a 58-year-old woman with unreduced posterior dislocation of the left elbow six weeks after the original injury.

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  Figure 2 Immediate postoperative radiographs of open reduction is shown.

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  Figure 3 Lateral and anteroposterior radiographs, made three days after the initial surgery. The elbow was dislocated again.

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  Figure 4 (A) The hinged external fixator was composed of a hinge and two radiolucent bars. (B, C) Transarticular Steinmann pin fixation and hinged external fixator was applied after the second open reduction.

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  Figure 5 (A, B) At 12 months after the surgery, there was no arthritic change. Note the heterotopic ossification around the coronoid process. (C) Near full range of motion was obtained compared with the right elbow.

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  Figure 6 (A, B) Lateral and anteroposterior radiographs of a 49-year-old male demonstrating unreduced posterior elbow dislocation 4 months after the initial injury. (C) A sagittal section of computed tomography revealed an intact coronoid process. (D–G) Radiographs of immediate postoperative state and a 12-month postoperative state showed that concentric joint space was maintained without further progression of arthritic change.

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