Patient-reported outcomes after simple dislocation of the elbow

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Traumatology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Simple elbow dislocation is a common injury in adults.
• Long-term outcomes and patient-reported results are crucial for understanding the full impact of this injury.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the epidemiology of simple elbow dislocations in adults.
• To assess the long-term clinical and patient-reported outcomes following this injury.

Main Methods:

• A ten-year retrospective review of adult patients treated for simple elbow dislocations.
• Follow-up included clinical examination, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, Oxford elbow questionnaire, and patient satisfaction assessment.

Main Results:

• A high incidence of residual elbow stiffness (56%) and pain (62%) was reported long-term.
• Patient-reported outcomes like DASH and Oxford elbow scores correlated with range of motion.
• Reduced elbow flexion and female sex were independent predictors of poorer outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Simple elbow dislocations are not entirely benign, with significant rates of residual pain and stiffness.
• While functional instability is less common, patient-reported outcomes indicate a substantial long-term impact.
• Understanding predictors of poor outcomes can guide future management and patient counseling.