Initial joint stability affects the outcome after conservative treatment of simple elbow dislocations: a retrospective study

Background:
Conservative treatment of simple elbow dislocations can lead to complications such as persisting pain and restricted joint mobility. The current aim was to identify patients with deteriorated outcome after conservative treatment and to investigate a possible association with initial joint (in)stability.
Methods:
Sixty-eight patients (mean age 37.1 ± 17.2 years) with simple elbow dislocations received conservative treatment. After closed reduction, joint stability was tested by varus and valgus stress under fluoroscopy. According to the findings under fluoroscopy, three different groups of instability could be identified: (1) slight instability (joint angulation

Source: Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research - August 20, 2015 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Marc SchnetzkeSara AytacStefan Studier-FischerPaul-Alfred GrütznerThorsten Guehring Source Type: research