Complex Case of Open Fracture-Dislocation of the Elbow

Abstract

Complex elbow instability is difficult to surgically address. Careful consideration of the fractures and soft tissue injuries is required. We present the case of a patient who sustained an open fracture-dislocation of the elbow with significant loss of the external humeral condyle and partial loss of the olecranon. He was surgically treated with an iliac crest tricortical autograft fixed with a buttress plate and a lag screw. His lateral ulnar collateral ligament was reconstructed with tendinous autograft collected from his third and fourth extensor digitorum longus tendons. While the procedure complicated with a Nocardia infection and wound breakdown, the patient almost had full range of motion without instability at 11 months of follow-up.

Complex open elbow fracture Gustilo-Anderson type IIIB treated with the primary elbow arthroplasty: A case report

“…Complex Gustilo–Anderson type IIIB open elbow fracture are rare injuries resulting from high-energy trauma. 1 , 2 Large soft tissues damages with comminuted fractures in the elbow are frequently combined with neuro-circulatory lesions. The soft tissues injury located at the dorsal part of the elbow is commonly associated with ulnar nerve damage.…”