Actual management of elbow fracture dislocations

Complex elbow fracture dislocations represent one of the most challenging injuries upper extremity surgeons face. A thorough understanding of the normal and pathologic anatomy appropriate surgical access to injured structures and repair and reconstruction techniques are required. The primary goal is to provide a stable concentrically reduced elbow joint. Despite technically successful acute reconstruction, early and late complications are frequent and some may require secondary procedures. It is important to counsel patients on the nature and severity of their injury as well as possible outcomes. The energy of injury and quality of tissue likely play a key role in obtaining a technically successful acute reconstruction.