Open dislocation of the elbow with ipsilateral fracture of the radial head and distal radius: a rare combination without vascular injury

Simultaneous ipsilateral distal radius and radial head fractures: Two case reports of radius bipolar fracture

RATIONALE

Distal radius fracture with simultaneous ipsilateral radial head fracture is a very rare pattern of injury. This type of injury is referred to as 'radius bipolar fracture'. Treatments for this injury pattern can be challenging because both the wrist and elbow need to be considered. There are currently no guidelines for the treatment of this specific type of injury. We report two cases of this unusual pattern of injury treated in our hospital.

PATIENT CONCERNS

Case 1 was a 78-year-old female patient and case 2 was a 19-year-old female patient who visited our emergency department with left elbow and wrist pain after slipping and falling.

DIAGNOSIS

Plain radiography and computed tomography revealed radius bipolar fracture. Case 1 had an AO type C3 distal radius fracture, a Mason type III radial head fracture. Case 2 had an AO type B2 undisplaced distal radius fracture and a Mason type III radial head fracture.

INTERVENTIONS

In case 1, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) was performed for the distal radius fracture and radial head replacement arthroplasty for the radial head fracture. In case 2, distal radius fracture was treated conservatively and ORIF was performed for the radial head fracture.

OUTCOMES

Bony union as achieved in both cases. At 1-year follow-up, case 1 showed slight limited range of motion of the wrist. Case 2 showed no radius shortening and full range of motion of the wrist and elbow. The Quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand score was 18 and 16, respectively.

LESSONS

After this type of injury, the radius length can be changed, and as a result, ulnar variance can be affected. When radial head replaced is considered, it would be better to operate on the wrist first, and then perform radial head replacement. In this way, radiocapitellar overstuffing or instability can be prevented. However, if ORIF is planned for proximal radius fracture, either the proximal or distal radius can be fixed first. Surgeons should try to preserve radial length during treatment to optimize patient outcomes.

The Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures with Ipsilateral Elbow Injury

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the functional outcomes of simultaneous distal radius fractures (DRFs) and ipsilateral elbow injuries (IEI) and to evaluate whether the DRFs and IEI affect each other’s outcomes.

Methods: From February 2008 to March 2015, 29 of 846 patients treated for DRFs were found to be associated with IEI and 26 patients with follow-up over 12 months were enrolled. There were 12 men and 14 women with a mean age of 55 years (range, 17–86 years). Associated IEI was divided into fracture group (10 patients) and dislocation group (16 patients). Clinical outcomes of DRFs and IEI were evaluated using the Gartland and Werley score and Mayo Elbow Performance Score, respectively. A correlation between the wrist scoring and the elbow scoring was analyzed. In addition, the wrist scoring between fracture group and dislocation group of the elbow was compared.

Results: The DRFs was rated as excellent in 14 patients, good in seven patients, and fair in five patients. The IEI was rated as excellent in 12 patients, good in 11 patients, fair in two patients, and poor in one patient. Acceptable outcome rate of both DRFs and concomitant IEI was 73%, although that of DRFs and IEI was 81% and 88%, respectively. A correlation between the wrist outcome and the elbow outcome showed a negative linear relationship (Spearman rho = −0.435, p = 0.026). In addition, there was no difference in the outcome of DRFs between ipsilateral elbow fractures group and dislocation group.

Conclusions: As a correlation of DRFs and ipsilateral IEI have a linear relationship, the functional outcomes of both injuries are related to each other. Therefore, we recommend that combined injuries should be managed appropriately at the same time for contended recovery of the wrist and elbow.

A Rare Combination of Complex Elbow Dislocation and Distal Radial Fracture in Adults

Although it is common for separate elbow joint dislocation and fracture of forearm bones to occur, it is a rare sighting for both elbow dislocation and ipsilateral fracture of the distal radius. We report a case of an anterior dislocation of the elbow with ipsilateral fracture of the distal radius. The case was treated operatively. We describe two possible mechanisms of injury for these rare injury types. The case underlines the importance of assessing the wrist in the case of an elbow fracture and vice versa.

Comparative study of simple and complex open elbow dislocations

BACKGROUND

Open elbow dislocations are rare injuries. Most of the evidence related to these dislocations is found in case reports or in series with closed injuries. We reviewed the experiences of three centers in the treatment of open elbow dislocations.

QUESTION/PURPOSES

We compared the results after operative treatment of simple and complex open dislocations in terms of (1) ROM, (2) functional score, and (3) complications.

METHODS

Eighteen patients were retrospectively included in this study: 11 with simple open elbow dislocations and seven with complex open elbow dislocations. Mean age was 40 years. Thirteen were men. Eight patients presented neurovascular injuries. Evaluation included ROM of the elbow and forearm as measured by hand-held goniometer. We then classified the results using the 100-point Broberg and Morrey functional rating index based on ROM, grip strength, elbow stability, and pain. Scores of 95 to 100 were considered excellent, 80 to 94 good, 60 to 79 fair, and less than 60 poor. Complications were recorded. Minimum followup was 6 months (mean, 25 months; range, 6-72 months).

RESULTS

We found no differences between simple and complex open elbow dislocations related to ROM (median flexion/extension: 117° versus 110°, p = 0.12; forearm rotation: 160° versus 170°, p = 0.67). According to the Broberg and Morrey score, four patients had excellent results, five good, and one fair in the simple dislocation group, whereas in the complex dislocation group, four patients had excellent results, two good, and one fair (p = 0.8). No difference in complication rate was found between groups (p = 0.63). All complications in the simple dislocation group were neurovascular. In the complex dislocation group, there was one case of brachial artery occlusion, two cases of heterotopic ossification, one case of infection and nonunion, and one case of infection. No patients had recurrent elbow instability.

CONCLUSIONS

No differences between simple and complex open elbow dislocations were found in terms of ROM, functional results, and rate of complications. Complications in the simple dislocation group were related to neurovascular injuries in contrast to the complex dislocation group where complications were associated with the bony injury.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, prognostic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Elbow dislocation with ipsilateral distal radius fracture

Elbow dislocation associated with ipsilateral distal radius fracture is a rare pattern of injury, although it is common for elbow dislocation and forearm fractures to occur separately. We report a rare case of a 20-year-old male who had a posterior elbow dislocation and ipsilateral distal radius fracture. Elbow dislocation was first reduced in extension and distal radius fracture was then reduced in flexion. Both the injuries were conservatively managed. At 6 months follow-up, the patient had no pain in his elbow and minimal pain in his wrist on heavy lifting and had resumed his work as a laborer.