title: Compass elbow hinge: short-term results in five adolescents.
abstract: The Compass Elbow Hinge (Smith and Nephew, Memphis, Tennessee, USA) was developed in the late 1990s as a mean of treating elbow contractures, utilizing Ilizarov's principles of distraction histeogenesis and a circular frame external fixator. Subsequent reports were published on its use for treating elbow ankylosis and instability in adults. Since 1999 five paediatric patients (aged from 12 to 15 years) have been treated by this device in our institute. The indications were post-traumatic elbow stiffness in four patients and elbow ankylosis following septic arthritis in one patient. Application of the elbow hinge was accompanied by open soft tissue contracture release, both anteriorly and posteriorly. Elbow mobilization and physiotherapy were commenced immediately postoperatively. The hinge was removed after 6-8 weeks. Follow-up ranged from 5 to 36 months. Complications were limited to simple pin track infection in three patients, and transient ulnar neuropraxia in one. The Compass Elbow Hinge (Smith & Nephew) application was successful in improving the arc of motion in three patients out of five.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Orthopaedic Service, The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, UK. khalids@onetel.net.uk
authors.forename: Khalid
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ayoub
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gibbons
authors.forename: Christopher F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Bradish
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003286:Contracture / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome