Long-term sequelae of simple dislocation of the elbow

Abstract

Fifty-two patients with a radiographically verified dislocation of the elbow were re-examined at an average of twenty-four years after injury. Half of the patients had no residual symptoms or signs whatsoever and more than one-third had a slight or moderate decrease in the range of extension, which was associated with slight degenerative change in the joint or with periarticular calcification. No reduction in joint space was evident. Even when the examination revealed some instability in a few patients they did not register complaints. Among the patients who had sustained the injury when they were less than sixteen years old, there were few with residual symptoms, signs, or radiographic changes.