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Título / Title

ELBOW DISLOCATION WITH IPSILATERAL RADIAL SHAFT FRACTURE: A CASE REPORT

Introdução / Introdution

The elbow posterior dislocation associated to a radial shaft fracture is a rare lesion, found in only three records in the literature.
It can be diagnosed by forearm rotation loss, wrist and elbow instability and, sometimes, associated pain and nerve injuries.

Objetivo / Purpose

To show a rare lesion (with only three cases previously described in literature), consisting of elbow dislocation associated to an ipsilateral radial shaft fracture.

Material e Método / Material and Methods

We treated a elbow dislocation associated to an ipsilateral radial shaft fracture in a 26-year-old girl who sustained the injury during sports practice. Following an unsuccessful attempt of closed reduction, an open reduction and internal fixation with a locking plate applied to the radial shaft was performed, leading to spontaneous, closed reduction of the elbow.

Resultados / Results

At one year postoperatively, an excellent range of motion was attained at the elbow, forearm, and wrist as compared to the other, non-affected side, along with no pain.

Discussão / Discussion

The treatment of elbow dislocation associated to ipsilateral forearm fractures is difficult and complicated, and the indications, surgical options and timing of surgery may vary. Elbow dislocation closed reduction and perfect, anatomical reduction of the radial shaft fracture prevent further deformity, stiffness, and loss of motion.

Ring and colleagues pointed out that isolated fractures of the radial shaft are more common than the true Galeazzi fractures, and surgeons should not overlook the injury to the distal or proximal radio-ulnar joint in association to isolated diaphyseal fractures of the radius (forearm clinical and radiographs examinations must always include elbow and wrist).

Conclusão / Conclusion

Case reports of concomitant, ipsilateral multiple injuries that uncommonly occur together in a single traumatic episode are nowadays very rare. The awareness of such association for early recognition is of paramount significance for ideal clinical results.
In this case report, after one year, the patient had no pain, and attained the same range of motion as compared to the non-affected side.
Radiographs showed full fracture healing with and adequate DRUJ and elbow joint congruity.