Complex Case of Open Fracture-Dislocation of the Elbow

Abstract EN

Complex elbow instability is difficult to surgically address.

Careful consideration of the fractures and soft tissue injuries is required.

We present the case of a patient who sustained an open fracture-dislocation of the elbow with significant loss of the external humeral condyle and partial loss of the olecranon.

He was surgically treated with an iliac crest tricortical autograft fixed with a buttress plate and a lag screw.

His lateral ulnar collateral ligament was reconstructed with tendinous autograft collected from his third and fourth extensor digitorum longus tendons.

While the procedure complicated with a Nocardia infection and wound breakdown, the patient almost had full range of motion without instability at 11 months of follow-up.