Description
In this comprehensive presentation, Claire Fitzgerald discusses elbow fracture dislocations, exploring their complexities and management strategies. She highlights the inherent stability of the elbow joint, which is comprised of three articulations, and emphasizes that elbow dislocations rank as the second most common dislocation among adults. Notably, she mentions that 40% of these dislocations can be complex and may involve fractures, leading to significant disability due to complications like stiffness and pain, rather than instability.
Fitzgerald urges the importance of understanding the anatomy and stabilizing factors of the elbow to inform a robust treatment plan aimed at restoring early motion. The presentation also touches on the necessity for careful reevaluation of patients to identify other potential injuries, especially in a major trauma context.
She categorizes elbow injuries based on their mechanism, including the posterolateral and medial rotatory patterns, Monteggia fractures, and trans-olecranon injuries. Fitzgerald discusses various classification systems like O'Driscoll's, Mason-Johnson, and Wrightington classifications, which aid in understanding injury patterns and guiding treatment.
Additionally, she outlines treatment protocols, emphasizing the importance of imaging for surgical planning and the need for a multi-disciplinary approach in managing complex elbow injuries. Fitzgerald concludes with case studies that illustrate the treatment progression and recovery outcomes for patients with severe elbow injuries, reinforcing the importance of early intervention and rehabilitation.