title: Analysis of complications after a floating elbow injury.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study is to analyse complications after a floating elbow injury, attempting to establish which of them act as a poor prognosis factor regarding clinical and functional results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three patients who suffered a floating elbow injury, treated at our institution from 2004 to 2013, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into four groups depending on the type of injury. An analysis of demographic data, associated injuries, treatment options and complications was carried out. Clinical evaluation was made by a conventional goniometer, testing flexo-extension and prono-supination ranges. For functional evaluation, the Mayo Elbow Performance Score was employed. Association between radioulnar synostosis, articular surface disruption, nerve injury and clinical and functional results was analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with radioulnar synostosis had worse results in functional evaluation than patients without it (56.6 vs. 75); this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.05). Regarding intra-articular extension, we found statistical association with worse results in functional evaluation (p = 0.018); however, nerve palsy does not seem to influence functional results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radioulnar synostosis and intra-articular extension of the injury are poor prognosis factor in floating elbow.
authors.affiliation: Hospital 12 de Octubre, Avda. de Córdoba s/n, Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Secretariat, 7th floor, 28041, Madrid, Spain. veronica.jimenez.diaz@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Verónica
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6109-7983
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jiménez-Díaz
authors.affiliation: Hospital 12 de Octubre, Avda. de Córdoba s/n, Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Secretariat, 7th floor, 28041, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Ismael
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Auñón-Martín
authors.affiliation: Hospital 12 de Octubre, Avda. de Córdoba s/n, Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Secretariat, 7th floor, 28041, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Olaya-González
authors.affiliation: Hospital 12 de Octubre, Avda. de Córdoba s/n, Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Secretariat, 7th floor, 28041, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aroca-Peinado
authors.affiliation: Hospital 12 de Octubre, Avda. de Córdoba s/n, Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Secretariat, 7th floor, 28041, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cecilia-López
authors.affiliation: Hospital 12 de Octubre, Avda. de Córdoba s/n, Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Secretariat, 7th floor, 28041, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Caba-Doussoux
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D018483:Diaphyses / Q000293:injuries; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D010591:Phantom Limb / Q000209:etiology; D020425:Radial Neuropathy / Q000209:etiology; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D013580:Synostosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014458:Ulna Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D020424:Ulnar Neuropathies / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult; D000092464:Elbow Injuries
keywords: Complications; Floating elbow; Prognosis; Radioulnar synostosis