Excellent mid-term patient-reported outcomes following use of the internal joint stabilizer for unstable injuries of the elbow.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate mid-term functional outcomes and complication rates associated with IJS-E use in patients with unstable elbow injuries. METHODS: This retrospective case series was conducted at a single Level I trauma center and included 24 patients treated with the IJS-E between June 2016 and July 2024. Inclusion criteria were traumatic elbow injuries requiring stabilization with the IJS-E. Patients with incomplete records or prior use of external fixators were excluded. Primary outcomes included Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores, duration of IJS-E implantation, and incidence of additional surgical procedures. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 24 patients (mean age: 51.7 years; range: 19–79). The IJS-E was implanted for a median of 96 days (mean: 97.6; range: 41–171). Median follow-up was 46.8 months (mean: 50.3; range: 5.0–93.2). The mean DASH score was 18.8 ± 23.4, with a median of 6.3, indicating favorable functional outcomes. One patient required two reoperations: hardware removal with joint debridement and later, interposition arthroplasty. Another patient underwent arthrotomy with capsular excision. CONCLUSION: Mid-term outcomes following IJS-E implantation for elbow instability demonstrate low disability scores and minimal need for reoperations. These findings support the IJS-E as a safe and effective alternative to external fixation, particularly for managing complex elbow injuries such as terrible triad patterns. Further studies are warranted to refine timing of implant removal and to validate these findings in larger cohorts.