[Complex osteoligamentary injuries of the elbow. Treatment with a hinged external fixator].
BACKGROUND
Hinged external fixation is a recognized method to treat instabilities after complex dislocations and fracture-dislocations of the elbow. The hinged external fixator allows stabilization of the elbow while preserving flexion and extension.


METHODS
Eighteen patients with an average age of 47 years (range 35-67) were treated with a hinged external fixator between April 2001 and March 2006 for 6 weeks. In 11 patients an internal fixation had to be done; six were treated initially with an AO fixator. After 8 days (3-14), we changed to a hinged external fixator.


RESULTS
At 39 months (12-71) of follow-up, all 18 elbows were stable. One stress-fracture of the ulna after pin removal occurred. The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI) was 78 points. Five (28%) patients had an excellent result, six (33%) a good result and seven (39%) a fair result. The average DASH score (disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand) was 18 points, which indicates a discrete impairment.


CONCLUSIONS
The treatment outcome of complex instabilities treated with a hinged external fixator using our technique is comparable to outcomes from other studies.
Kolb
W
W
DrWerner.Kolb@t-online.de
Guhlmann
H
H
Windisch
C
C
Marx
F
F
Markgraf
E
E
Koller
H
H
Kolb
K
K
Grützner
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008022:Ligaments / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092464:Elbow Injuries