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Pediatric complex divergent elbow dislocation.
Jan-Maarten F van Wagenberg1, Pieter J van Huijstee, Michiel H J Verhofstad
1Department of Surgery, St Elisabeth Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands. jm_vanwagenberg@yahoo.com
Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma
|November 19, 2010
Summary
A rare divergent elbow dislocation involves all three elbow articulations. Aggressive surgical treatment achieved excellent elbow motion and stability.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Traumatology
Background:
- Divergent elbow dislocation is an exceptionally rare injury involving all three elbow articulations: the ulnohumeral, radiocapitellar, and proximal radioulnar joints.
- This complex injury pattern can be associated with fractures, such as coronoid avulsion and distal radius fractures, necessitating thorough radiographic evaluation.
Observation:
- The case presented a divergent dislocation of the elbow with associated coronoid process avulsion fracture and distal radius fracture.
- Radiographic studies were crucial for understanding the extent of this complex injury.
Findings:
- The study advocates for aggressive operative treatment over conservative approaches for divergent elbow dislocations.
- Surgical intervention involved anatomical reconstruction, including osteosynthesis of the distal radius fracture, repair of the coronoid process, and lateral collateral ligament reconstruction.
Implications:
- Anatomical reconstruction of the elbow joint following divergent dislocation leads to excellent functional outcomes.
- This case highlights the effectiveness of prompt surgical management in restoring elbow stability and motion.
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