Introduction The subcutaneous location of the olecranon makes it vulnerable to trauma. Isolated fractures of the olecranon comprise approximately 10% of fractures about the elbow, with an estimated incidence of 1.08 per 10,000 person-years. Most result from low-energy trauma such…
Introduction Forearm instability is a complex and debilitating condition. The term Essex-Lopresti injury refers to injuries consisting of fracture of the radial head with longitudinal disruption of the interosseous membrane (IOM) and distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). This instability has been…
Unfortunately, a number of patients treated for a radial head fracture according to the principles described in previous chapters will not do well and may require further surgery. Management of these patients will be different depending on the nature of…
Introduction In general, the management of type I fractures is well understood and accepted. Controversy does surround the type II and type III fracture due to increased complexity from treatment of associated injuries. Our treatment logic is described in Chapter…
Introduction Surgical treatment of displaced radial head fractures has evolved from excision of fracture fragments or the entire head of the radius, to several techniques of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), and modern types of radial head replacement. The…
Introduction Historical Review The first description of a radial head fracture may be attributed to Beard, who, in 1834, noted the presence of this injury at autopsy. By 1880, Bruns found 21 cases in the literature, but only one of…
Introduction Injury to the elbow joint may cause damage to the stabilizing elements such as bony structures or ligaments. Profound knowledge of these stabilizing elements is the basis of adequate treatment and success to restore a stable and functioning elbow…
Introduction The term simple elbow dislocation is applied to those injuries resulting in loss of congruity between the distal humerus and the proximal forearm (ulna and radius) without associated bony injuries. The structures disrupted include the elbow capsule, lateral collateral…
Introduction Elbow trauma is one of the most common types of injury in the pediatric and adolescent population. While treating elbow injuries, the orthopedist may also be faced with managing a posttraumatic elbow contracture. Elbow stiffness after injury is less…
Introduction Osteochondral lesions may be the source of elbow pain, swelling, and loss of motion in children or adolescents. The typical presentation is an adolescent gymnast or overhead throwing athlete (e.g., baseball pitcher). The dominant arm is usually involved but…