Outcome of Long Standing Ulno-Humeral Dislocation Managed by Open Reduction and Stabilization with V-Y Plasty; Our Experience.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the outcome of long standing ulno-humeral dislocation managed by open reduction and stabilization with V-Y plasty.

METHODS

This cross sectional study included 14 patients with elbow dislocation that was more than 3 months without joint ankylosis, myositis ossificans or nerve injury. The surgical management not only included open reduction of the elbow joint, but also elongation of the triceps aponeurosis, collateral ligament repair along with the stabilization of the elbow joint. The results were analyzed using the Mayo Elbow score and the range of motion at 3 months and results were compared with the function of the patients elbows before surgery.

RESULTS

Among the 14 included patients, there were 9 men and 5 women. The mean age of the patients was 27.8±8.3 years. The average ROM Increased from 37.0◦±25.8◦ to 99.7◦±23.3◦ of flexion in the postop followup. Whereas the extension lag changed from 15.5◦±14.6◦ to 19.6◦±18.3◦ . The mean Mayo score increased from 47 in the preop period to 87 in the postop period.

CONCLUSION

This results demonstrates that relative good function with a pretty low risk can be obtained when comparing the functional results after 3 months with preoperative status. Based on these results we recommend that neglected elbow dislocation should be managed by surgical intervention even if the dislocations are old.