Floating elbow injury in the adult: Functional assessment and statistical analysis of 18 patients.

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Published: Nov 14, 2012
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15417/97
Keywords:
Floating elbow, Adult, Treatment, Results

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Miguel Ángel Capomassi
Ricardo Martín Gardenal
Miguel Slullitel

Abstract

Background Ipsilateral fractures of the humerus and the forearm represent a rare injury resulting from highenergy trauma and known as Floating Elbow. The objective of this report is to present our experience, analyze outcomes and determine the impact that some injury- or treatment-related factors had on outcomes.MethodsEighteen adult patients (15 males) with a mean age of 41.2 years, who had floating elbow and who had been treated between 1994 and 2010 and followed for over 1 year, were retrospectively studied. Cases were divided according to the authors' classification, and variables with a potential impact on final outcomes were identified. There were 7 associated injuries in the involved extremity (39%). All fractures had been treated by reduction and osteosynthesis. Patients were evaluated using the Shoulder Score Index (ASES), the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the SF-36 form. The mean follow-up was 6.7 years.ResultsThe average ASES score was 87.5; pain score on VAS was 1. The SF-36 showed an average physical factor of 46.8 and mental factor of 60.1. Five complications occurred (27.8%): 3 humeral pseudoarthrosis and 2 infections. No statistically significant relation was found between results and bone exposure, kind of floating elbow, associated injuries or osteosynthesis method applied.ConclusionsStable osteosynthesis of fractures and concomitant treatment of associated injuries make the use of early controlled mobilization protocols possible, improving functional outcomes.

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How to Cite
Capomassi, M. Ángel, Gardenal, R. M., & Slullitel, M. (2012). Floating elbow injury in the adult: Functional assessment and statistical analysis of 18 patients. Revista De La Asociación Argentina De Ortopedia Y Traumatología, 77(2), 124-135. https://doi.org/10.15417/97
Issue
Vol 77 No 2 (2012)
Section
Clinical Research
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