Fracture and Dislocation of the Elbow Treated with Compass Elbow Hinge

Abstract

Post-traumatic elbow stiffness is a common and disastrous complication after acute elbow injury. Prolonged immobilization universally leads to stiffness. Stable fixation and controlled, gradual increase in range of motion is preferred for the treatment of comminuted intraarticular fracture and acute unstable dislocation of elbow. In comminuted intraarticular fracture of elbow, the Compass Elbow Hinge provides additional stability for fixation devices used to fix intraarticular fractures and simultaneously permits measured and controlled joint mobilization. In instability after reduction of elbow dislocation, the Compass Elbow Hinge helps to protect the soft tissue from undesirable stresses during healing. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of the Compass Elbow Hinge in maintaining and restoring mobility in the acutely injured elbow. The authors reviewed 11 consecutive patients who had the Compass Elbow Hinge applied for acute elbow instability. The average duration of application was 7 weeks. Follow-up averaged 18 months, and motion averaged 96 degrees in flexion/extension plane. Concentric stability was restored in all but one case, one case of resubluxation required reconstruction of medial collateral ligament, following which, the elbow was stable. According to the Mayo