title: The treatment of simple elbow dislocation in adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Simple elbow dislocation is a complex soft-tissue injury that can cause permanent symptoms. Its incidence is 5 to 6 cases per 100 000 persons per year. Its proper treatment is debated; options range from immobilization in a cast to surgical intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  We systematically reviewed the literature on the treatment of simple elbow dislocation and performed a meta-analysis, primarily on the basis of clinical scores and secondarily with respect to pain, range of motion, and return to work.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A randomized controlled trial (RCT) showed that clinical results at short-term follow-up were superior for early functional treatment compared to immobilization in a cast. Brief immobilization, however, reduced pain initially, and the long-term results of early mobilization and immobilization in a cast were the same. Our meta-analysis showed that early mobilization enables patients to return to work earlier (difference of mean values -2.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] -3.18 to -2.64), and that the extent of soft-tissue injury is correlated with the clinical outcome (inverse relationship; difference of mean values -12.07, 95% CI -23.88 to -0.26). Surgical and conservative treatment were compared in a single RCT, which revealed no significant difference in outcomes. A meta-analysis of two retrospective comparative studies showed no advantage of immediate ligament repair over delayed surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early functional treatment is the evidence-based therapeutic standard for simple elbow dislocation. The past few years have seen further developments in surgery for simple elbow dislocation. Further study is needed to determine whether surgery for elbow dislocation with high-grade instability can prevent persistent pain, limitation of motion, and chronic instability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma-, Hand- and Elbow Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Clinic for Shoulder Surgery, Bad Neustadt/Saale.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hackl
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beyer
authors.forename: Kilian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wegmann
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Leschinger
authors.forename: Klaus Josef
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Burkhart
authors.forename: Lars Peter
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Müller
mesh_terms: D018771:Arthralgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015984:Causality; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015897:Comorbidity; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092464:Elbow Injuries