Long-term sequelae of simple dislocation of the elbow.

Elbow dislocation in children and adults: A long-term follow-up of conservatively treated patients

“…The median time of immobilization in our study was 3 weeks, partly because of prolonged immobilization of the fracture cases. O u r findings of collateral ligament calcifications in approximately half of the joints are comparable to the report of Josefsson et al (1984) with calcifications in 38 of 52 joints. Both studies show that calcification was the most common radiographic abnormality following elbow dislocation, but in our study there was no association between calcification and limited motion.…”

“…Roberts (1969) found no instability in 60 joints, whereas Josefsson et al (1984) found seven with slight and one with obvious instability in their series of 52 elbows. When instability was present in our patients, the joint functions were uninfluenced and all the patients were asymptomatic.…”

Fractures of the Capitellum and Trochlea

“…The definition of an elbow fracture-dislocation has traditionally been a dislocation of the elbow with a fracture of the radial head 15 , and papers addressing elbow fracturedislocations have not mentioned dislocations with associated fractures of the distal part of the humerus 24 . It makes sense, however, that as the elbow dislocates, osseous failure may also occur on the distal humeral side of the articulation rather than on the radioulnar side, and dislocation of the elbow with fracture of the distal part of the humerus (elbow fracture-dislocation) should be considered among the patterns of traumatic elbow instability [24][25][26] . Although patients with a fracture-dislocation of the distal part of the humerus did not do worse than those without a dislocation, the patient numbers were small in our series and the need for the arthrodesis in one patient demonstrates the potential for a fracture-dislocation of the distal part of the humerus to be a very troublesome injury.…”

Coronoid Fractures of the Elbow

“…Morrey and An 12 described elbow dislocation as "usually a high energy episode with severe soft tissue injury," many occurring during sports, 1,14-16 daily activities 17 or at work. 16 Major traumas such as motor vehicle accidents can also cause these injuries. 15,18 The most common cause of an elbow dislocation is a fall on the elbow or outstretched hand from standing height 4,14,19 or higher.…”

“…1,22,26 It is not unusual to see degenerative changes on plain radiographs, but they are not necessarily symptomatic. 16 Younger patients tend to experience fewer post-dislocation symptoms. 16 …”