Neglected dislocations of the elbow: Anatomical clinical aspects and management at the Orthopedics-Traumatology Department of the Donka University Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To identify the anatomical pathological lesions, to describe the therapeutic method and to evaluate the results. Material and Methods: This is a 2-year prospective descriptive study, from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020. Patients received, treated and followed up for neglected elbow dislocation with a mean follow-up of 3 months. The assessment according to the modified Mayo-Clinic rating. Results: Eighty percent of our patients had consulted for stiffness. The 19-38 age groups was more affected 60% with a male predominance of 60% and a sex ratio of 1.5. The mean time to consultation was 5.1 ± 4.2 months with extremes of 2 and 16 months. Our patients have made an initial use of traditional treatment. We observed 80% of cases of posterolateral dislocation. The posterior transtricipital approach was the most used 66.67% and arthrolysis plus splint in 6 cases or 67%. The average mobility sector (flexion-extension) was 99° with extremes of 50° and 140°. Two cases of complication were observed: recurrence and ulnar paralysis. Our results were excellent 5 cases, good result 3 cases and 1 bad result. Conclusion: neglected dislocations occur due to ignorance or lack of knowledge of the initial pathology, with blind trust in the treatment of traditional medicine; for these practitioners do not shrink from any injury. The treatment remains almost exclusively surgical by the posterior approach and Z-plasty was more used.