Our Summary
This study looked into the condition known as ‘floating elbow’ in children. This condition is rare and usually happens when a child experiences a high-energy trauma, like falling from a significant height. The study included two boys and a girl, all around 7 years old.
The researchers examined the nature of the injuries, how they were treated, and the outcomes. Different types of fractures were seen in the children, all involving the elbow and forearm. All the elbow fractures, and some of the forearm fractures, were treated with a surgical procedure called osteosynthesis.
The kids stayed in the hospital for an average of 5 days. After roughly 8 months, some of the children had limitations in how much they could flex or extend their elbow, and one child had a misaligned forearm bone. However, all the children maintained their ability to rotate their forearm.
The study concludes that ‘floating elbow’ is uncommon in children and its treatment isn’t universally agreed upon. The elbow is often the area most affected by complications.
FAQs
- What is the ‘floating elbow’ condition in children and how does it occur?
- How were the elbow and forearm fractures treated in the study?
- What were the long-term outcomes for the children who underwent osteosynthesis for ‘floating elbow’?
Doctor’s Tip
One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about elbow surgery is to follow post-operative rehabilitation and physical therapy guidelines closely. This can help improve range of motion, strength, and function in the elbow joint after surgery. It’s important to be patient and consistent with these exercises to achieve the best possible outcome. Additionally, it’s important to communicate any concerns or changes in symptoms to your healthcare provider to ensure proper healing and recovery.
Suitable For
Typically, patients who are recommended elbow surgery are those who have sustained significant trauma to the elbow joint, resulting in fractures or other serious injuries that cannot be adequately treated with conservative measures. This may include individuals with complex fractures, dislocations, ligament injuries, or other conditions that require surgical intervention to restore function and stability to the elbow joint. In the case of ‘floating elbow’ in children, surgery may be necessary to realign and stabilize the bones in the elbow and forearm to promote proper healing and prevent long-term complications.
Timeline
Overall timeline:
- High-energy trauma leads to ‘floating elbow’ injury in children
- Examination of injuries and treatment plan developed
- Surgical osteosynthesis procedure performed on elbow and forearm fractures
- Average hospital stay of 5 days
- 8 months post-surgery, some limitations in elbow flexion and extension observed in some children
- One child had a misaligned forearm bone, but all children maintained forearm rotation ability
- Conclusion that ‘floating elbow’ is rare in children and treatment outcomes vary, with elbow being most affected area by complications.
What to Ask Your Doctor
- What specific type of elbow surgery is recommended for my condition?
- What are the potential risks and complications associated with the surgery?
- What is the expected recovery time and rehabilitation process after the surgery?
- Will I need physical therapy after the surgery, and if so, for how long?
- What are the expected long-term outcomes and potential limitations after the surgery?
- Are there any alternative treatments or non-surgical options available for my condition?
- How many similar surgeries have you performed, and what is your success rate?
- Will I need any additional imaging or tests before the surgery?
- How soon after the surgery can I return to normal activities, such as work or sports?
- What should I do if I experience any complications or concerns after the surgery?
Reference
Authors: Ndour O, Drame A, Faye Fall AL, Ndoye NA, Diouf C, Camara S, Ngom G. Journal: Afr J Paediatr Surg. 2020 Jul-Dec;17(3 & 4):95-98. doi: 10.4103/ajps.AJPS_82_16. PMID: 33342842