Open reduction for late-presenting posterior dislocation of the elbow.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate results of open reduction for late-presenting (more than 3 weeks) posterior dislocation of the elbow in 10 patients.


METHODS
Elbow stiffness was the main indication for surgery. The mean age of the patients was 34 (range, 13-65) years; the mean time since injury was 4 (range, 2-6) months. All patients had non-functional elbow movement for any activity of daily living. Three patients had associated fractures around the elbow joint.


RESULTS
At a mean follow-up of 19 (range, 11-28) months, 8 patients regained a functional range of movement for activities of daily living and maintained a median arc of flexion of 100 degrees and a supination-pronation arc of 140 degrees. According to the Mayo Elbow Performance Index, the results of 5 patients were excellent, 3 were good, and 2 were poor. Complications included pin site infection (n=2), ulnar neuritis (n=1), and delayed wound healing (n=1).


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with late-presenting, unreduced elbow dislocation occurring up to 6 months earlier, open reduction is effective in restoring the joint to a painless, stable and functional state.
Mehta
S
S
Department of Orthopaedics, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India. smr_mehta@yahoo.co.in
Sud
A
A
Tiwari
A
A
Kapoor
S K
SK
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001864:Bone Wires; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013997:Time Factors; D000092464:Elbow Injuries