Open posterior dislocation of the elbow with fractures of the radial head and coronoid process and multiple diaphyseal fractures of the ulna
Abstract
A healthy, right-handed 34-year-old man was injured by repeated direct blows delivered to his left upper arm with a baseball bat. These blows led to a posterior dislocation of the elbow joint, associated with fractures of the radial head and the coronoid process.
There was bone loss on the fractured joint surface of the olecranon, with simultaneous ipsilateral trauma to the ulna. The correct surgical approach in the case of such fractures is still the subject of some controversy.
The treatment can have serious complications. The results of treatment are often poor, especially because of persisting instability and stiffness of the elbow following a long period of immobilisation.
Few studies have been concentrated on this topic up to now. We report on the functional and radiological results 24 months after the treatment of this rare, open "shock triad in the elbow".