Objective: To report our experience of treating complex elbow fracture/dislocations and to discuss the incidence of elbow
dislocations.
Methods: A total of 19 (15 male, 4 female) patients with an average age of 34 years (range, 23 - 62 years) surgically treated for elbow dislocations between August 2008 and October 2013 were evaluated clinically using the Roberts criteria after an average follow-up of 21 months (range, 4 - 42 months). There were associated injuries of 4 olecranon fractures, 7 radial head fractures, 6 radial head and coronoid fractures and 2 lateral condyle fractures.
Results: In 19 of 29 patients evaluated in the emergency department, related fractures were detected. According to the Roberts criteria, the results were excellent in 6 patients (31.5%), good in 7 patients (36.8%), fair in 5 patients (26%), and poor in 1 patient (5%). Younger age and lack of ligament lesions were associated with good results. Ligament and cartilage lesions, older age and a longer period of immobilization were associated with worse results.
Conclusions: The primary goal of surgery is to restore stability to initiate early range of motion, which is the key factor for a successful outcome. The patientÂ’s age and the presence of ligament and cartilage injury have prognostic value. Pure dislocation is uncommon, so it is recommended that radiographs are evaluated carefully for associated fractures around the elbow, especially on first presentation in the emergency department.
Key words: Elbow dislocation, coronoid fractures, radial head fractures, complex dislocation, ligament injury
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