Fracture-dislocations of the elbow joint – strategy for treatment and results

Between January 1993 and December 1996, 41 patients with fracture dislocation of the elbow joint were treated in our department. In 28 patients (median age 46 years, range 15–77 years; 16 male, 12 female), a clinical and radiological follow-up was obtained after median 34 months (range 12–59 months). In addition to the humero-ulnar dislocation, isolated fractures were present in 13 patients and combined fractures in 15 (all with involvement of the radial head). Primary neurological deficits were found in 7 and open fractures in 3 patients. In 7 patients, primary definitive surgical therapy was carried out by open reduction and internal fixation. A two-step surgical management (initial closed reduction and immobilization, 5 patients with external fixator, 7 with plaster; secondary open surgical procedure) was performed in 12 and conservative treatment in 9 patients. According to the Leipzig Elbow Score, taking subjective, clinical and radiological criteria into consideration, 4 patients achieved ‘excellent’ and 5 patients a ‘good’ result. Ten patients were scored ‘moderate’ and 9 ‘poor’. The rate of secondary complications necessitating revision was 36%. Poor results were primarily caused by extensive initial soft-tissue damage, delayed definitive surgical therapy, and ectopic heterotopic ossification. In contrast, fracture localization and degree of arthrosis were not of significant importance for the final outcome. In fracture dislocations, the goal is a primary definitive surgical treatment aiming for early postoperative physiotherapy.