title: [Fractures of the elbow joint].
abstract: Fractures around the elbow joint comprise fractures of the distal humerus, the radial head, the olecranon and the coronoid process. Combined lesions are particularly demanding for the surgeon. Accurate knowledge of the anatomy and of the biomechanics is an essential requirement for a specific diagnosis and therapy. A stable and painless movable elbow joint is essential for most of the activities of daily living. Risk factors for the development of posttraumatic elbow joint arthrosis are non-anatomically reconstructed joint surfaces, axial malalignment of the joint axis and untreated concomitant injuries. Modern angular stable and anatomically preshaped implants facilitate a biomechanically adequate osteosynthesis and avoid or decrease functional impairment. In consideration of an increasing number of osteoporotic elbow joint fractures, endoprosthetic replacement has gained significance.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Unfallchirurgie, Zentrum für Muskuloskeletale Chirurgie, Universitätsmedizin der Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, Mainz, Germany. nowakt@uni-mainz.de
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Nowak
authors.forename: S O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Dietz
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Burkhart
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Rommens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement / Q000379:methods; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D017760:Bone Malalignment / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001860:Bone Plates; D001864:Bone Wires; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult; D000092464:Elbow Injuries