Arthrography of the dislocated elbow joint

Arthrography has been suggested as a useful tool for diagnosing ligament ruptures. In 14 consecutive patients with non-fractured elbow dislocations arthrography was performed after reduction of the dislocation. One or two days following arthrography all elbows were examined under general anesthesia with regard to stability and half of them were randomized for surgery with exploration and suture of both the ulnar and the radial collateral ligaments. Arthrography, even if performed within 24 hours after the injury, was found to be unreliable in diagnosing ligament injuries after elbow dislocation. Leakage of the contrast medium was more or less limited to the site of the major injury, which in the dorsal and dorso-radial dislocation was a rupture of the volar aspect of the capsule and the ulnar side of the joint in the radial dislocation.