title: Complications associated with hinged external fixation for chronic elbow dislocations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the outcomes of patients who underwent application of hinged external fixators for chronic elbow fracture-dislocations. We hypothesized that patients treated for this injury pattern can achieve satisfactory outcomes but encounter many complications and require numerous additional procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective review of 7 patients who were surgically treated with application of a hinged external fixator for chronic ulnohumeral elbow fracture-dislocation. Patients were included only if they had complete ulnohumeral dislocation of greater than 1 month's duration. Demographics, injury pattern, and range of motion were documented. Preoperative and postoperative range of motion was recorded and any treatment complications or additional surgeries were noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The interval between the initial injury and index procedure averaged 8 months. All patients underwent initial treatment with open reduction internal fixation. Average arc of ulnohumeral motion improved from 26° (range, 0° to 60°) to 120° (range, 100° to 145°). Overall, 4 of 7 patients developed at least one complication during treatment. Three patients required additional procedures aside from removal of the hinged external fixator. These 3 patients underwent a total of 13 additional procedures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although patients can achieve good outcomes, realistic expectations should be set. Patients should be aware that surgery can be associated with a high risk of complications, potential treatment failure, and a need for additional surgical procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic IV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ; Hand and Upper Extremity Center, Dallas, TX; Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaedics, University of Toronto-Sunnybrook Health Science Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Vishnu C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Potini
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ; Hand and Upper Extremity Center, Dallas, TX; Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaedics, University of Toronto-Sunnybrook Health Science Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Shade
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ogunro
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ; Hand and Upper Extremity Center, Dallas, TX; Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaedics, University of Toronto-Sunnybrook Health Science Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Patrick D G
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ; Hand and Upper Extremity Center, Dallas, TX; Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaedics, University of Toronto-Sunnybrook Health Science Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Irfan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Rutgers University-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ; Hand and Upper Extremity Center, Dallas, TX; Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaedics, University of Toronto-Sunnybrook Health Science Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: tanvi@njms.rutgers.edu.
authors.forename: Virak
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092464:Elbow Injuries
keywords: Elbow dislocation; chronic dislocation; hinged external fixator