Anterior elbow dislocation with recurrent instability
Saouti, R.; Albassir, A.; Berger, J.P.; Fatemi, F.; Willems, S.
Acta Orthopaedica Belgica 69(2): 197-200
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-6462 PMID: 12769023 Document Number: 555979
Anterior elbow dislocations are often associated with severe soft tissue lesions. The mechanism of dislocation is usually an anteriorly directed blow on the proximal ulna after a fall on a flexed elbow. Simple anterior elbow dislocations are traditionally treated by closed reduction followed by a short period of immobilisation. Fracture-dislocations are usually unstable after reduction and necessitate surgical management. The authors report a case of acute anterior dislocation with a concomitant radial head fracture that was complicated by recurrent instability. The literature is reviewed to discuss a treatment strategy.