Clinical Study of Traumatic Fracture and Dislocation of the Elbow Joint

Ahn, Jae In; Yoon, Yeu Seung; Cho, Yong Moon

Abstract

The elbow joint is the most commonly dislocated-joint in the body except for the shoulder, and in children less then 10 years old, it is the most frequently dislocated articulation. The injury and the treatment are well described in most standard textbooks, but the characteristic findings and follow-up evaluations are not generally recognized. Authors have clinically analyzed 45 cases of traumatic fracture and dislocation of the elbow joint which are treated between January, 1975 and June, 1985 at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Wonju Medical College of Yonsei University. The results were as follows; 1. The age incidences were in even distribution except in the old ages where the incidence was low and the male to female ratio was 7: 3. 2. The major cause of the injury of the elbow was fall down (60%). 3. Posterior and posterolateral dislocations were about 60% of all cases. 4. Associated fractures were 35.6% of all the elbow dislocations, of which medial epicondyle fracture had the highest incidence. 5. Complications including ulnar nerve injury (3 cases), median nerve injury(1 case), radial nerve mjury(1 case), rupture of brachial artery(2 cases), recurrent dislocation(1 case) and calcification of ligament(2 cases) were observed. 6. Pure elbow dislocation occurred in 13 cases (28.9%). 7. The average immobilization period for patient with non-operative treatment (45%) and operative treatment(55%) were 7 days and 3 weeks, respectively, and much better results were seen in patients with non-operative treatment than in operative treatment and in shortened immobilization period.