NEGLECTED POSTERIOR DISLOCATION OF THE ELBOW A RECONSTRUCTION OPERATION

A new technique for repair of neglected posterior dislocation of the elbow is described, consisting of open reduction with tendon graft stabilisation to create a medial collateral and an intra-articular “cruciate” ligament. This allows flexion-extension exercises to start six days after operation. Eleven cases are reported in which the average range ofmovement improved from 38’ before operation to 105#{176}after a minimum follow-up of two years, with a mean valgus-varus instability of only 13#{176}.One patient had a postoperative infection but all the others were satisfied with the functional result. Open reduction or arthroplasty for neglected posterior dislocation of the elbow often leads to mediolateral instability, particularly in cases which achieve a good range of flexion-extension movement (Shahriaree et al