Complex instability of the elbow

Injuries to the elbow are commonly encountered in orthopaedic practice. They range from low energy, simple isolated fractures, to high energy complex fracture dislocations with severe ligamentous disruption. Recognising the precise pattern of injury is critical in restoring elbow function and preventing chronic instability, pain and weakness. This article discusses the important osseous and ligamentous stabilisers of the elbow joint and provides management protocols for the common patterns of complex injury encountered by the practising surgeon.     

Pediatric open elbow dislocation without fracture: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Elbow dislocations in children are rare injuries. These injuries are often in the form of complex injuries that is accompanied by the median nerve damage and medial epicondyle fracture in the pediatric age group. Open elbow dislocation without fracture in the pediatric age group has been reported very rarely in the literature.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

The purpose of this study is to present an 8-year-old patient who has open elbow dislocation without fracture accompanying with brachial artery injury. In the clinical examination of the patient, there was an open wound in the transverse antecubital region. After repair of brachial artery injury, open reduction was performed under general anesthesia. In the postoperative clinical examination at 6 months, left elbow flexion was 140°, extension was full and there were no deficit in the supination and pronation of the forearm.

DISCUSSION

Elbow dislocation without fracture in pediatric patients is a very rare injury. Usually the trauma mechanism of elbow dislocation is falling on outstretched hand with elbow in approximately 30° of flexion. However our patient had fallen on outstretched hand with elbow in full extension. Although this type of trauma mechanism is typical for supracondylar humerus fractures in pediatric age group, in our patient an open posterior elbow dislocation without fracture had occurred.

CONCLUSION

Pediatric elbow dislocations are rare injuries and the management of these injuries can be technically demanding due to concurrent neurovascular injuries. An open dislocation without fracture is very rare and it should be treated with immediate intervention, an effective teamwork and good rehabilitation.     

Unilateral hinged external fixator of the elbow in complex elbow injuries

We present the outcome of treating complex injuries of the elbow with the "Orthofix" external fixator in patients where the condition of the soft tissues did not permit extensile surgical approach or where the internal fixation would not be stable enough to permit safe early joint mobilization postoperatively. Eight patients were treated, three with supra-intercondylar fracture in the presence of marked osteoporosis and five with fracture-dislocation of the elbow and excessive soft tissue impairment. The fixator was applied for a mean of 8.5 weeks (5-13 weeks). Great care was taken to use the appropriate technique in applying the fixator, especially to define the correct centre of rotation. All the fractures were united, and no instability of the joint was noted. All the patients maintained a functional range of motion, with lack of extension less than 30 degrees and flexion more than 120 degrees . One patient who developed transient palsy of the radial nerve and two patients who developed pin track infection were treated with oral antibiotics. Despite the technical difficulties, external fixation of the elbow could be a salvage procedure in difficult cases of elbow trauma, where open procedures are not indicated.     

Intraarticular distal humerus fracture complicated by osteogenesis imperfecta treated with primary total elbow arthroplasty: a case report

Intraarticular fractures of the distal humerus are challenging problems for the treating surgeon. When these fractures are complicated by severe comminution and poor bone quality, open reduction and internal fixation may lead to poor clinical outcomes when compared with those treated with primary total elbow arthroplasty. The population in which this clinical scenario most often arises is the elderly. An unusual case is presented in which a 38-year-old individual was successfully treated with primary total elbow arthroplasty for a highly comminuted, intraarticular distal humerus fracture with severe osteopenia due to osteogenesis imperfecta in which standard plate osteosynthesis was unlikely to provide sufficient stable fixation.     

Ipsilateral fracture dislocation of the shoulder and elbow: A case report and literature review

Ipsilateral dislocation of the shoulder and elbow is an uncommon injury. A literature review identified nine previously described cases. We are reporting a unique case of ipsilateral posterior shoulder dislocation and anterior elbow dislocation along with concomitant intra-articular fractures of both joints. This is the first report describing this combination of injuries. Successful treatment generally occurs with closed reduction of ipsilateral shoulder and elbow dislocations, usually reducing the elbow first. When combined with a fracture at one or both locations, closed reduction of the dislocations in conjunction with appropriate fracture management can result in a positive functional outcome.     

The outcome of open elbow arthrolysis: comparison of four different approaches based on one hundred cases

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of elbow arthrolysis according to the surgical approach, durability after arthrolysis and the severity of contracture.

Methods

The study includes a cohort of 100 consecutive patients treated in our institution between 1986 and 2008. The indication for surgery was loss of mobility. This was the result of fractures, dislocation, simultaneous fracture/dislocation or other non-traumatic causes. All patients underwent open elbow release via one of four approaches (42 lateral, 44 medial, six combined medial-lateral and eight posterior). They were clinically evaluated at a minimum of 24 months after arthrolysis.

Results

The average ranges of elbow extension, flexion and arc of motion had increased significantly at the follow up, respectively, by 20°, 16° and 36°. No significant difference was found with regard to surgical approach. However, we noticed significant deterioration of intra-operative average extension and arc of motion (AOM) over the follow up period, respectively, by 13° and 14°. The number of patients with AOM of 100° or more increased from three patients preoperatively to 28 postoperatively.

Conclusions

Open elbow arthrolysis is a successful method of treatment of elbow contracture. Results are durable, but there is some postoperative deterioration of extension gained during surgery. We may anticipate that at the final stage we shall obtain an average of 86 % of intra-operative arc of motion. Patients with the most severe contractures have the best gains.     

Elbow fracture-dislocation combined with Galeazzi fracture in adult: A case report and literature review

INTRODUCTIONGaleazzi fracture associated with ipsilateral posterior elbow dislocation and radial head fracture is a rare pattern of injury. Few reports exist that describes this injury pattern and its treatment. We describe a case report of simultaneous occurrence of Galeazzi fracture and ipsilateral dislocation of elbow.PRESENTATION OF CASEA 58 year-old female presented with Galeazzi fracture and posterior elbow dislocation associated with radial head fracture of left upper extremity. This was managed with closed reduction of the elbow, open reduction and internal fixation of the radial shaft fracture and K-wire stabilisation of the unstable distal radioulnar joint. Prophylactic fasciotomy was performed. At 10 months follow-up, the outcome was favourable with the American shoulder and elbow surgeon score of 92 and the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand score of 18.DISCUSSIONThe presumed mechanism of the injury was a forceful axial loading of a hyperpronated forearm and extended elbow. Our literature review shows that this pattern of injury occurs as a result of high energy trauma in young individuals, and successful outcome can be achieved by addressing each component of this complex injury individually.CONCLUSIONSimultaneous occurrence of elbow dislocation and Galeazzi fracture seems to be the result of extreme axial force and unique position of upper extremity at the time of impact. Individualised approach to each component of this injury can result in favourable outcome.     

扭转分离型肘关节脱位并肱骨内外髁撕脱骨折1例

正患者,男,13岁,学生,2016年5月10日在约1.5 m高的窗台往下探望时不慎跌下,左手先撑地致左肘关节肿痛、畸形、活动受限2 h由家人送入院。入院时症见:左肘关节肿痛明显,无法活动肘关节,伤肢远端未诉麻木,牵涉痛,其他一般情况可。查体:左肘关节明显肿胀,局部呈靴形畸形,左肘窝后上方空虚。左肘部活动受限,弹性固定,压痛明显,有叩     

A juvenile recurrent elbow dislocation resolved by internal fixation of the avulsed lateral chondral fragment after ossification: A case report

We report a case of juvenile recurrent posterior dislocation of the elbow with an avulsed cartilage fragment. The avulsed fragment from the lateral condyle gradually became larger since the initial dislocation, and was ossified. After three dislocations, the avulsed bone fragment was secured with screws and the anterior capsule was repaired. Elbow function recovered without any dislocation after the avulsion fracture healed. Open reduction and internal fixation of the avulsed fragment is worth trying at first for juvenile recurrent elbow dislocation, even in chronic cases.     

Posterolateral instability of the elbow in an adolescent boy with a lateral epicondyle fracture: a case report

Background  

Posterolateral rotatory instability of elbow is considered to be due to the disruption of the ulnar part of the lateral collateral ligament (LUCL). This instability pattern may also be induced by a fracture of components of the lateral column.     

Bilateral periprosthetic tibial stress fracture after total knee arthroplasty: A case report

IntroductionPeriprosthetic fractures around the knee after total knee arthroplasty can be seen in the femur, tibia and patella. The tibial fractures are rare cases. Our case with bilateral tibial stress fracture developed after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the first of its kind in the literature.Presentation of case75-year-old male patient with bilateral knee osteoarthritis had not benefited from conservative treatment methods previously applied. Left TKA was applied. In the second month postoperatively, periprosthetic tibial fracture was identified and osteosynthesis was implemented with locked tibia proximal plate-screw. Bone union in 12 weeks was observed in his follow-ups.After 15 months of his first operation, TKA was applied to the right knee. Postoperatively in the second month, as in the first operation, periprosthetic tibial fracture was detected. Osteosynthesis with locking plate-screw was applied and union in 12 weeks was observed in his follow-up.He was seen mobilized independently and without support in the last control of the case made in the 24th month after the second operation.DiscussionThe number of TKA applications is expected to increase in the future. The incidence of periprosthetic fractures should also be expected to increase in these cases. Periprosthetic tibial fractures after TKA are rarely seen. The treatment of periprosthetic fractures around the knee after TKA can be difficult.ConclusionIn the case of persistent pain in the upper end of the tibia after the surgery, stress fracture should be considered.