[Elbow joint dislocation. Diagnosis, therapy, results].

Thorough knowledge of the anatomy and biomechanics in the elbow joint together with an special reference to constitutional variations is an important factor in understanding the pathomechanisms of its dislocation. We are presenting 27 case-reports of elbow-dislocations treated at the I. University Clinic for Traumatology in Vienna between 1979 and 1983. The so-called carrying angle showed no pathological deviation besides a tendency to cubitus valgus and hence elbow-joint to dislocation. Our results showed clearly that conservative treatment is possible and advisable in most cases. Only dislocation with osseous lesions and/or a tendency to redislocation after reduction should be operated on.