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Intermediate-term outcomes for floating elbow and floating elbow variant injuries
Christopher R Jockel1, R Martin Gardenal, Neal C Chen
1The Philadelphia Hand Center, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. cjockel79@gmail.com
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
|January 29, 2013
Summary
Floating elbow injuries are high-energy trauma with potential for nerve damage. While mid-term outcomes are acceptable, nerve injury negatively impacts results, though patients show improvement over several years.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Trauma Care
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Floating elbow injuries are severe, high-energy trauma with limited outcome data.
- Associated injuries are common and can complicate recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate patient outcomes following floating elbow injuries.
- To utilize the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) elbow assessment form for outcome measurement.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 19 patients treated for floating elbow injuries between 1994 and 2004.
- Outcomes assessed via physical examination and the ASES elbow form at a mean follow-up of 6.7 years.
Main Results:
- Mean ASES elbow score was 89, with high patient satisfaction (mean VAS 8.7).
- Fifteen patients reported ongoing elbow pain.
- Nerve injury correlated with lower ASES scores (P = .03); longer follow-up associated with better outcomes (Spearman = 0.55, P = .02).
Conclusions:
- Floating elbow fractures indicate significant trauma and associated injuries.
- Nerve injury is a key factor in reduced subjective outcomes.
- Patients experience continued improvement, achieving acceptable mid-term results.
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