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Combined simple elbow dislocation and forearm joint injuries. A systematic review of the literature with injury patterns and current treatment rationale

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Abstract

Introduction

Recent studies have allowed a great improvement in understanding elbow and forearm traumatic injuries. Simple elbow dislocations combined with forearm injuries have been occasionally reported in the literature.

The aim of this study was to detect the possible patterns of simple elbow dislocations and forearm fracture–dislocations, providing a classification scheme to guide surgical treatment.

Materials and methods

PubMed search was performed to find combination of simple elbow dislocation and forearm joint injury, between 2000 and 2020, including clinical studies and case report. All articles related to pediatric patient or with complex elbow dislocation were excluded. After identification, articles were analyzed for the description of injury patterns reported according to locker-based classification system of forearm joint injuries.

Results

Finally, 15 articles were included. Most of the patients sustained high-energy trauma. According to locker-based classification system, simple elbow dislocation was combined with: MRUJ and DRUJ Galeazzi injury (2IR.3), PRUJ and MRUJ injury (1.2I), PRUJ and MRUJ injury with radial shaft fracture (1.2IR), PRUJ and MRUJ injury with ulnar shaft fracture (1.2 IU), PRUJ and MRUJ injury with radial and ulnar shaft fracture (1.2IRU), PRUJ MRUJ DRUJ Essex-Lopresti injury (1.2I.3), and PRUJ MRUJ DRUJ injury with radial shaft fracture (1.2IR.3). Thirteen out of 15 patients undergo surgical treatment. Clinical results were overall favorable.

Conclusions

Simple elbow dislocation combined with forearm joint injury is an uncommon traumatic pattern usually secondary to high-energy trauma. A thorough knowledge of elbow and forearm biomechanics, and classification of anatomical lesion is mandatory for a successful treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatology, Orthopaedic and Trauma Center, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, University of Turin, via Zuretti 29, 10126, Turin, Italy

    Stefano Artiaco, Alessandro Aprato, Alessandro Bistolfi & Alessandro Massè

  2. Orthopaedic and Traumatology Unit, Regina Montis Regalis Hospital, ASL CN1, via S. Rocchetto 99, 12084, Mondovì, Italy

    Federico Fusini

  3. Orthopaedic and Traumatology Unit, Faenza Hospital, Viale Stradone 9, 48018, Faenza, Italy

    Alessandra Colozza

  4. Hand Upper Limb Surgery Unit, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Orthopaedic and Trauma Center, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, via Zuretti 29, 10126, Turin, Italy

    Bruno Battiston

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  1. Stefano Artiaco
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Correspondence to Federico Fusini.

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Artiaco, S., Fusini, F., Colozza, A. et al. Combined simple elbow dislocation and forearm joint injuries. A systematic review of the literature with injury patterns and current treatment rationale. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 32, 475–480 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-021-02974-6

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