Dislocation of the elbow: a retrospective study of 115 patients

Of the 115 elbow dislocations treated at two New Orleans hospitals between 1959 and 1969, 78% were posterior. Sixty-one percent of the patients were 21 years of age or younger, and the male-female ratio was 1.7:1.0. The most common associated injuries were fractures of the medial condyle or epicondyle. All uncomplicated dislocations were treated by closed reduction and plaster immobilization. Of the 35 cases complicated by medial condylar or epicondylar fractures, 29 required open reduction and internal fixation. Results were excellent or good in 91% of the cases. The three patients (2.6%) with poor results all had mental impairment. This study suggests a generally favorable prognosis for these injuries.