Abstract
<i>Introduction</i>: This study represents an analysis of data collected prospectively over a seven-year period to our trauma unit, to identify the epidemiological background behind the admissions of patients with acute elbow problems and to highlight the impact of these admissions on our trauma service. <i>Method</i>: Nearly 16,000 patients were included in our database. The admissions were initially categorized into A) fractures/dislocations or B) soft tissue trauma. The fractures/dislocations were then further classified by radiographic anatomical location, with data also collected on length of stay and operative management. In total 509 admissions were included in this study; 193 were paediatric cases and 316 were adults. This included 428 admissions with fractures/dislocations and 81 cases of soft tissue trauma. <i>Conclusion</i>: In conclusion, this data allows us to identify relative frequency of acute elbow conditions, including the incidence of common fracture patterns. These figures help to facilitate resource planning, such as expertise amongst personnel or the acquisition of equipment, including radial head replacement, elbow arthroplasty, and periarticular locking plates.
Highlights
This study represents an analysis of data collected prospectively over a seven-year period to our trauma unit, to identify the epidemiological background behind the admissions of patients with acute elbow problems and to highlight the impact of these admissions on our trauma service
It is important that those hospitals treating the acute elbow have the appropriate equipment and expertise at their disposal, given the potential complexity of injury and the residual morbidity, which may include stiffness and ectopic ossification. We have identified both the pathology and the management associated with the acute elbow admissions over a 7-year period
In total 509 admissions were identified in this study, which included 428 admissions with fractures/dislocations and 81 cases of soft tissue trauma
Summary
This study represents an analysis of data collected prospectively over a seven-year period to our trauma unit, to identify the epidemiological background behind the admissions of patients with acute elbow problems and to highlight the impact of these admissions on our trauma service. Conclusion: In conclusion, this data allows us to identify relative frequency of acute elbow conditions, including the incidence of common fracture patterns. These figures help to facilitate resource planning, such as expertise amongst personnel or the acquisition of equipment, including radial head replacement, elbow arthroplasty, and periarticular locking plates. A proportion of these patients require inpatient care and it is important to understand both the mechanism of injury and the implications for service provision which accompany this It is well documented amongst the paediatric population that supracondylar fractures of the humerus are the most common injury and may account for two-thirds of all hospital admissions for paediatric elbow injuries [3,4,5]. Amongst adults the reasons for admission are more variable, including a large variety of acute fractures and soft tissue trauma that requires fixation or repair
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
