POSTEROMEDIAL ELBOW DISLOCATION WITH IPSILATERAL DISTAL RADIUS FRACTURE

Abstract

Distal radius fractures with concomitant ipsilateral elbow dislocation are a rare injury pattern. Only a few cases of a distal radius fracture with ipsilateral elbow dislocation have been reported. We discuss the case of a 46-year-old gentleman presenting with posteromedial elbow dislocation with an ipsilateral closed extra-articular fracture of the distal radius. Plain radiographs showed a right posterior-medial elbow dislocation and ipsilateral distal radius fracture. CT scans of the elbow showed impaction fractures of the coronoid and trochlea, suggesting a concomitant posteromedial varus elbow dislocation injury. CT scans of the wrist showed the presence of a comminuted, extra-articular distal radius fracture. Surgical fixation of the distal radius was performed, as well as repair of the right elbow lateral capsule-ligamentous complex with suture anchors. Proper recognition of the posteromedial varus instability type injury to the elbow, as in this case is important, should be addressed. If VPMRI is missed, it can lead to ulno-humeral osteoarthritis of the elbow joint.