Elbow Dislocation with Irretrievable Rotating‐Rope Injury of the Forearm: Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

BackgroundSimultaneous dislocation of the elbow, radioulnar joint and proximal radius fracture with rotary noose injury to the medial ulna tubercle is extremely rare. An emergency surgery was performed to reduce it. The radial head with the backbone was reset after two hammers were fixed, then the radial capitulum safety was fixed with a locking plate. After the ulnar instability was examined, two Kirschner wires were drilled percutaneously to fix the elbow flexion at 100° under closed reduction, and two Kirschner wires were drilled percutaneously to fix the ulnar joint. Good follow‐up results were achieved. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on this particular type of injury and on this approach to treating this type of injury.Case presentationWe report the case of a 36‐year‐old male, who extended and landed on his left hand to protect his child in right arm before felling, resulting in severe pain and deformity of his left elbow and wrist and loss of movement in these joints. X‐ray examination found proximal distal radioulnar joints, a proximal radial fracture and a dislocation bowstring in the ulna nodule. For a timely diagnosis in an emergency open reduction situation, accurate judgment of this injury is highly important. After 12 months of postoperative follow‐up, the patient was symptom‐free, and radiographs showed fracture healing.ConclusionWe performed emergency reduction and internal fixation of the elbow and successfully saved elbow function, no stability decrease and movement restriction. This case also provides a new reference for the treatment of this type of elbow fracture dislocation.