Elbow Trauma Flashcards
what trauma is associated with the elbow?
- elbow dislocation
- radial head/neck fractures
- olecranon fractures
describe an elbow dislocation
- a high impact injury causes the radius and/or ulna to move out of their normal alignment with the capitulum and/or trochlea of the humerus
- can be simple (no fracture) or complex (with fracture)
- posterior is more common
MOI for an elbow dislocation
hyperextension injury – high impact /
FOOSH (fall on outstretched hand)
describe the radiographic appearance of an elbow dislocation
ulnar coronoid process and/or radial
head not in normal alignment with the humerus
what helps identify an elbow dislocation from a radiograph?
- the radiocapitellar line (an imaginary line drawn along the longitudinal axis of the proximal radius, and passing through the capitulum of the humerus)
- misalignment of the radiocapitellar line identifies a dislocation
describe the treatment for an elbow dislocation
- reduction under local or general anaesthetic for simple dislocation
- surgery (open reduction) may be required especially for complex dislocation
describe the prognosis for an elbow dislocation
simple - good prognosis after closed reduction
complex - accurate realignment and fixation during surgery is important for a good prognosis
- physiotherapy may be required
describe a radial head/neck fracture
intra-articular fractures as they effect the articular surface. can be:
- non-displaced
- displaced
- comminuted
MOI for a radial head/neck fracture
usually via FOOSH – high impact applies force along the radius leading to impaction of the radial head against the capitulum, causing fracture
rarely - caused during reduction of an elbow dislocation
describe the radiographic appearance of a radial head/neck fracture
- undisplaced fracture of the radial
head visible as a lower density
line within the high density bone - displaced fracture are more obvious and usually lower density soft tissue areas are another sign that a fracture is present (fat pads)
describe the treatment for a radial head/neck fracture
non-displaced - immobilisation in a
splint/cast, with sling for comfort
displaced - may require open
reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)
depending on extent of displacement
severely comminuted - may
require artificial replacement of the
radial head
describe the prognosis for a radial head/neck fracture
non-displaced fractures have a very good prognosis
comminuted/displaced fractures require more physiotherapy to regain full range of movement and more healing time
describe an olecranon fracture