Abstract
PURPOSE : To assess the results according to the injury types of fracture-dislocation of
the elbow and to evaluate the stability after early controlled mobilization.
MATERIALS AND METHODS : Twenty-two patients were managed with open reduction and
internal fixation, sometimes using the compass hinged external fixator. Most common
direction of dislocation was posterior(46%) and most common associated fracture was
radial head and neck fracture(36%). patients were treated with various methods
regarding the types of fracture and immediate mobilization using the hinged functional
brace.
RESULTS : Of 11 cases associated with radial head fracture. 9 cases had excellent or
good results and 2 cases combined with concomitant other fracture had fair results. Of 5
cases associated with olecranon fracture, 2 cases with severe comminuted fracture had
fair or poor results. All of 6 cases associated with coronoid or medial condyle fracture
had good results. Late instability was not observed in any of 22 cases.
CONCLUSION : This study revealed that more combined lesion and comminution of the
fracture had worse functional results. Late instability from immediate controlled
mobilization was not observed.