Floating Elbow Workup

  • Author: William Oros, MD; Chief Editor: Harris Gellman, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 20, 2010
 

Imaging Studies

  • The minimum radiographic workup for a patient with an injured extremity should include radiographs in the anteroposterior (AP) and lateral planes.
  • Traction on the affected extremity helps define the fracture lines.
  • Obtain oblique radiographs when standard radiographs do not provide enough information.
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Diagnostic Procedures

  • Patients with a persistent pulseless extremity despite fracture reduction should undergo arteriography to rule out vascular injury if a delay in operative intervention is anticipated.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

William Oros, MD  Physician, Department of Orthopedics, University of Tennessee Medical Center - Knoxville

William Oros, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

John J Walsh IV, MD  Professor and Chairman, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of South Carolina School of Medicine

John J Walsh IV, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and Christian Medical & Dental Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Joseph E Sheppard, MD  Professor of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery, Chief of Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, University Physicians Healthcare

Joseph E Sheppard, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and Orthopaedics Overseas

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Pekka A Mooar, MD  Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Temple University School of Medicine

Pekka A Mooar, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS  Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School; Chief of Arthroscopic Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital

Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Harris Gellman, MD  Consulting Surgeon, Broward Hand Center; Voluntary Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Plastic Surgery, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Surgery, University of Miami, Leonard M Miller School of Medicine

Harris Gellman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and Arkansas Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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Grade IIIA open ulna fracture in a motorcyclist with associated radial head humeral injuries.
Close-up of radial head dislocation with evidence of air in soft tissues.
Ipsilateral segmental humeral fracture.
Initial management of the Monteggia injury consisted of debridement and irrigation of the extensively contaminated ulna fracture and application of an external fixator for stability and reduction of the radial head dislocation. The humeral fracture was splinted.
Definitive management of the fractures was performed with plate fixation.
 
 
 
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