Elbow injuries are relatively common and have a significant socioeconomic impact, accounting for 10% of all injuries to the upper limb with almost one third of these being dislocations and approximately 10% being fractures [1, 2]. Furthermore, the elbow is the second most commonly dislocated joint in adults and the most commonly dislocated joint in the paediatric population with 40% of these in...

The elbow is subjected to enormous valgus stresses during the throwing motion, which places the overhead-throwing athlete at considerable risk for injury. Injuries involving the structures of the medial elbow occur in distinct patterns. Although acute injuries of the medial elbow can occur, the majority are overuse injuries as a result of the repetitive forces imparted to the elbow by throwing....

Complex open elbow injuries present a significant challenge to orthopaedic surgeons because of the poor potential for achieving a good functional level, even given good anatomic realignment. Associated massive soft-tissue damage impedes surgical fixation, delays rehabilitation, and therefore, further deteriorates the functional outcome. We studied a prospective, consecutive series of 16 patient...

BACKGROUND Floating elbow fractures in adults are rare and complex injuries with unpredictable outcomes. The present study was designed to assess our experience, analyze possible compilations and illustrate prognostic factors of the final outcome. METHODS Between 2002 and 2009, 19 patients with floating elbow fractures were treated in our department (mean follow-up, 26 months). The fractures ...

Posterior dislocation of the elbow joint with fracture of both the radial head and coronoid process, the so-called 'terrible triad', is a complex and difficult-to-treat injury. We report a case of a 34-year-old man with terrible triad of the elbow and associated injuries secondary to a fall. The patient was treated with radial head osteosynthesis, resection of the coronoid process fragments, an...

Elbow instability often results in chronic overuse injuries, especially with overhead throwing in athletes. Initial management of medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries often is conservative, but surgery may be required. In several studies, nearly half of throwing athletes with MCL injuries who were treated conservatively were able to return to their previous level of competition. Surgical t...

BACKGROUND High-energy trauma may result in uncommon open injuries around the elbow joint. The management of these injuries can be difficult. CASE DESCRIPTION Fourteen patients were treated between 1999 and 2003 and their injuries consisted of Monteggia fracture-dislocations combined with segmental fractures of the ulna or fractures of the forearm bones and/or various more complex trauma such...

BACKGROUND There is paucity of literature describing complex elbow trauma in the pediatric population. We described a case of an uncommon pediatric elbow injury comprised of lateral condyle fracture associated with posterolateral dislocation of elbow. CASE PRESENTATION A 12-year-old boy sustained a direct elbow trauma and presented with Milch type II lateral condyle fracture associated with p...

Adolescent baseball players, especially pitchers, are at increased risk for shoulder and elbow injuries as their level of competition increases. The intersection of the adolescent growth spurt with the high levels of elbow valgus and shoulder rotational torques placed upon the arm during overhand pitching predisposes the shoulder and elbow to physeal injuries. Little League shoulder and Little ...