Elbow Fracture Surgery

An elbow fracture surgery is an open procedure performed by making an incision over the back of the elbow joint and carefully repositioning the bone fragments from the fracture back into their proper location.

 

Overview of procedure

An incision is made on the back of the elbow and a combination of wires, pins, plates, and/or screws are used to safely secure the bone fragments back into their correct position. This is called open reduction internal fixation. While the physician is in the elbow he/she may also remove bone fragments that are too damaged to be fixed back into place. Also, a bone graft may be needed is some of the bone is lost or crushed. This involves taking a bone graft from another bone in the body- often the hip- to replace the damaged piece. If the end of the bone is damaged beyond repair, a joint replacement should be considered. This is common in radial head fractures that are a crush injury.

 

Pre-treatment considerations

• This surgery is indicated for displaced fractures of one of the three elbow bones- the radius, the ulna, and the humerus- that have moved out of place or for an open fracture where pieces have punctured the skin and there is a risk of infection.

• Longer recovery time due to open technique

• It is important to approximate the number of bone fragments with an X-ray prior to surgery

• Must consider if there has been damage to other structures in the elbow. These can also be fixed during surgery,

 

Post-treatment considerations and recovery

• Placed in a sling and a 90 degree splint

• Physical therapy is begun in the first few days after surgery. Early motion of the elbow is very important.

• Healing can take 4 months to one year before patient can return to play

 

Pros and benefits

• Most elbow fractures require surgery

 

Cons, risks, and possible side effects

• Infection risk

• Hardware irritation

• Nerve or blood vessel issue

• Non-union meaning that it may not heal correctly or the hardware may shift or break

• Loss of range of motion, especially with extension

• Post-traumatic arthritis

• Implant rejection