Patient satisfaction, joint stability and return to sports following simple elbow dislocations: surgical versus non-surgical treatment

• Authors: Stephanie Geyer, Technical University of Munich; Lucca Lacheta, Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Jesse Seilern und Aspang, Emory University; Lukas Willinger, Technical University of Munich; Patricia M Lutz, Technical University of Munich; Sebastian Lappen, Technical University of Munich; Andreas B Imhoff, Technical University of Munich; Sebastian Siebenlist, Technical University of Munich
• Journal Title: ARCHIVES OF ORTHOPAEDIC AND TRAUMA SURGERY
• Volume: Volume 143, Number 3
• Publisher: Springer (part of Springer Nature) | 2023-01-01, Pages 1481-1489
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-022-04383-8
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery
• Keywords: Elbow; Simple elbow dislocation; Instability; Ultrasound; Return to sports

Abstract

Purpose While conservative management is commonly promoted for simple elbow dislocations, the importance of primary surgical treatment in these injuries is still undetermined. The objective of this study was to report patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), return to sports (RTS) and joint stability using ultrasound in patients following conservative or surgical treatment after simple elbow dislocation. Methods Patients with a minimum follow-up of 24 months after conservative (CT) or surgical treatment (ST) following simple elbow dislocation were included in this retrospective study. To evaluate patients’ postoperative outcome and satisfaction, the Elbow Self-Assessment Score (ESAS) was used, and validated scores such as the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS), the Quick Disability of Arm and Shoulder Score (Quick-DASH) and RTS were assessed. For objective assessment of residual joint instability, a standardized clinical examination as well as a dynamic ultrasound evaluation of the affected and the contralateral elbow was performed. Results Forty-four patients (26 women, 18 men) with an average age of 41.5 ± 15.3 years were available for follow-up survey (65.5 ± 30.4 months; range 26–123). 21 patients were treated conservatively and twenty-three patients received surgical treatment. CT and ST resulted in similar outcome with regard to ROM, ESAS (CT: 99.4 ± 1.5; ST: 99.8 ± 0.3), MEPS (CT: 97.3 ± 6.8 points; ST: 98.7 ± 3.3) and Quick-DASH (CT: 7.8 ± 10.4; ST: 6.3 ± 7.9) (n.s.). There was no difference in elbow stability and laxity measured by ultrasound between the study groups and compared to the healthy elbow (n.s.). Two patients of the CT group (10%) complained about persistent subjective elbow instability. RTS was faster after surgical compared to conservative treatment (p = 0.036). Conclusion Both, conservative and surgical treatment results in high patient satisfaction and good-to-excellent functional outcome after simple elbow dislocation. Even though ultrasound evaluation showed no significant differences in joint gapping between groups, 10% of conservatively treated patients complained about severe subjective instability. Surgically treated patients returned faster to their preoperatively performed sports. Thus, primary surgical treatment may be beneficial for high demanding patients.