Abstract
Injuries to the elbow are commonly encountered in orthopaedic practice. They range from low energy, simple isolated fractures, to high energy complex fracture dislocations with severe ligamentous disruption. Recognising the precise pattern of injury is critical in restoring elbow function and preventing chronic instability, pain and weakness. This article discusses the important osseous and ligamentous stabilisers of the elbow joint and provides management protocols for the common patterns of complex injury encountered by the practising surgeon.
Keywords:
Complex elbow instability; Elbow dislocation; Elbow fracture; Elbow fracture dislocation; Elbow instability; Instability of the elbow; Terrible triad.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
MeSH terms
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Clinical Protocols
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Collateral Ligaments / injuries*
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Collateral Ligaments / physiopathology
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Collateral Ligaments / surgery
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Elbow Injuries
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Elbow Joint / diagnostic imaging
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Elbow Joint / physiopathology*
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Elbow Joint / surgery
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Fracture Fixation, Internal / methods*
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Fractures, Bone / complications
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Fractures, Bone / physiopathology*
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Fractures, Bone / surgery
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Humans
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Joint Dislocations / complications
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Joint Dislocations / diagnostic imaging
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Joint Dislocations / physiopathology*
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Joint Dislocations / surgery
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Joint Instability / etiology
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Joint Instability / physiopathology*
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Joint Instability / surgery
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Radiography
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Range of Motion, Articular
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Tendon Injuries / diagnostic imaging
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Tendon Injuries / physiopathology*
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Tendon Injuries / surgery
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Treatment Outcome