Treatment of unstable elbow dislocations with hinged elbow fixation—subjective and objective results

Background The aim of this study was to provide subjective and objective results of surgical treatment of unstable elbow dislocations with the hinged external fixation technique. Methods Twenty-six patients were available for re-examination after treatment. Parameters used to quantify the subjective functional results were the Mayo Elbow Performance Score, the shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire, and the stability of the elbow joint. In addition, we measured the medial and lateral joint space by varus and valgus stress ultrasound examinations of the elbow. Results The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 93.5 (±8.3 standard deviation), and the shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire showed an average of 7.3 points (±8.9 standard deviation). We saw 18 patients with stable joints and 8 patients with slight instability. In the ultrasound stress test, we saw a significant difference of the affected joint under varus stress (7.8 ± 1.7 mm) compared with the healthy joint (5.8 ± 1.2 mm) laterally. Furthermore, medially the gap was significantly larger (4.8 ± 0.9 mm; treated elbow) than contralaterally under valgus stress (3.3 ± 0.7 mm) ( P