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 prferred 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, adn motion averaged 96 degrees in flexion/extension plane. Comcentric 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 elbow performance index there were 8 excellent, 2 good and 1 fair result. The Compass Elbow Hinge helps to facilitate management of complex osseo-ligamentous injuries of the elbow. It decreases the incidence of sequelae such as stiffness and instability by permitting early mobilization through a kinematically normal range of motion without jeopardizing soft tissue healing.
• Key words: Elbow fracture and dislocation, Compass Elbow Hinge

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