Clinical Study of Dislocation of the Elbow Joint
10.4055/jkoa.1982.17.2.311
- Author:
Kyu Sung LEE
;
Myung Sang MOON
;
Myung Bok NOH
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Dislocation;
Elbow;
Short-term immobilization;
Period of disability
- MeSH:
Clinical Study;
Dislocations;
Elbow Joint;
Elbow;
Head;
Humans;
Humerus;
Immobilization;
Male;
Wounds and Injuries
- From:The Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
1982;17(2):311-317
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Dislocation of the elbow joint is so frequent an injury, and its treatment so standardized, that most of the recent orthopaedic study devoted to the subject has focused on neurovascular complication or recurrent dislocation. Some authors reported minimal period of disability and better range of extension after three to five days short-term immobilization in simple acute dislocation. We, authors, had analyzed clinically 17 cases of acute dislocation of elbow joint who were treated at orthopaedic department of Catholic Medical College from Jan., 1978 to Dec., 1981. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The most prevalent age were second and third decades (76.5%). Males predominated by a ratio of 13:4. 2. The major mode of injury was slip down accident (58.8%). All cases were acute simple dislocation without open wound. 3. Posterolateral, dislocations were 13 cases (76.5%) and posterior dislocations were 3 cases (17.6%). These two type of dislocation were 94.1% of all cases. No anterior dislocation was noted. 4. Four fractures of radial head and one fracture of lateral epicondyle of humerus were seen. Associated fractures were noted in 29.4% of all cases. 5. Severe complication was none except one recurrent habituai dislocation and limitation of elbow extension, averaging 10.5 degrees, 6. In 9 cases which were immobilized for 3 to 5 days had an average loss of extension of 6 degrees and an average of 7 weeks of disability. In 7 cases which were immobilized for 3 weeks had an average loss of extension of 18 degrees and an average of 18.3 weeks of disability. Therefore, immediate reduction and 3 to 5 dhys of immobililization is excellent treatment for uncomplicated dislocations.
