Treatment of bilateral elbow dislocation using external fixation with motion capacity
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Treatment of bilateral elbow dislocation using external fixation with motion capacity : a report of 2 cases. / Koslowsky, Thomas Christian; Mader, Konrad; Siedek, Michel; Pennig, Dietmar.
In: J ORTHOP TRAUMA, Vol. 20, No. 7, 07.2006, p. 499-502.Research output: SCORING: Contribution to journal › SCORING: Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Treatment of bilateral elbow dislocation using external fixation with motion capacity
T2 - a report of 2 cases
AU - Koslowsky, Thomas Christian
AU - Mader, Konrad
AU - Siedek, Michel
AU - Pennig, Dietmar
PY - 2006/7
Y1 - 2006/7
N2 - Bilateral elbow dislocation is a rare injury and only 11 cases are described in the literature, including 8 patients with isolated ligamentous and 3 patients with an additional osseous injury. We present 2 cases of bilateral posterior elbow dislocations treated with a bilateral hinged elbow fixator with motion capacity to allow for early physiotherapy. Both patients had a high-energy trauma with one who fell off a ladder from a 5 m height and the second from a mountain bike injury during off-road biking. All extremities were neurovascularly intact. In the operating room, severe instability was detected in all 4 elbows: after closed reduction in 3 elbows and open reduction in 1 elbow for a Mason type 4 fracture of the radial head that was internally fixed using fine threaded implants, an elbow fixator with motion capacity was applied in all 4 elbows for a period of 6 weeks. One year after surgery, the active range of motion was 0/10/140 degrees of extension and flexion on the right and 0/0/130 degrees on the left side. The second patient achieved 0/0/125 degrees and 0/10/130, respectively. Pro- and supination was full in both patients. All 4 elbows were stable and there were no radiologic signs of degenerative changes at the 1 year follow-up. Treatment of bilateral elbow dislocation using external fixation with early motion capacity allows for active physiotherapy although maintaining joint stability, thus minimizing complications normally associated with the injury. Using this method resulted in an excellent clinical outcome for both patients.
AB - Bilateral elbow dislocation is a rare injury and only 11 cases are described in the literature, including 8 patients with isolated ligamentous and 3 patients with an additional osseous injury. We present 2 cases of bilateral posterior elbow dislocations treated with a bilateral hinged elbow fixator with motion capacity to allow for early physiotherapy. Both patients had a high-energy trauma with one who fell off a ladder from a 5 m height and the second from a mountain bike injury during off-road biking. All extremities were neurovascularly intact. In the operating room, severe instability was detected in all 4 elbows: after closed reduction in 3 elbows and open reduction in 1 elbow for a Mason type 4 fracture of the radial head that was internally fixed using fine threaded implants, an elbow fixator with motion capacity was applied in all 4 elbows for a period of 6 weeks. One year after surgery, the active range of motion was 0/10/140 degrees of extension and flexion on the right and 0/0/130 degrees on the left side. The second patient achieved 0/0/125 degrees and 0/10/130, respectively. Pro- and supination was full in both patients. All 4 elbows were stable and there were no radiologic signs of degenerative changes at the 1 year follow-up. Treatment of bilateral elbow dislocation using external fixation with early motion capacity allows for active physiotherapy although maintaining joint stability, thus minimizing complications normally associated with the injury. Using this method resulted in an excellent clinical outcome for both patients.
KW - Adult
KW - Elbow Joint
KW - External Fixators
KW - Humans
KW - Joint Dislocations
KW - Male
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Movement
KW - Orthopedic Procedures
KW - Case Reports
KW - Journal Article
M3 - SCORING: Journal article
C2 - 16891943
VL - 20
SP - 499
EP - 502
JO - J ORTHOP TRAUMA
JF - J ORTHOP TRAUMA
SN - 0890-5339
IS - 7
ER -