[Unreduced elbow dislocation treated by Ilizarov method--a case report].

INTRODUCTION Unreduced elbow dislocation is every elbow dislocation older than one week. It may be treated non-operatively (with prereduction traction) or surgically. The treatment goals are: to reduce pain, to establish joint stability and movements. There are a lot of techniques described in literature, series are relatively small, mostly case reports. Multicentric studies have not been done. That is why there are no precisely defined therapeutic protocols. Every contribution in the field is valuable. CASE OUTLINE A 43-year-old patient was admitted for the treatment of a three-month old unreduced elbow dislocation. Treatment has been done by Ilizarov method, using the reduction mechanism. The reduction process lasted two weeks. The Ilizarov device was removed two months after the operation, then physical therapy was started. Normal anatomical and functional findings were established five months following the operation. CONCLUSION The presented method of treatment has been found as very useful, having in mind that it may solve two problems: difficult reduction and redislocation. Reduction may be done without the joint opening, step by step; retention of the reduced joint may be easily done. Physical therapy may be started without Ilizarov device removal, movements of flexion and extension may be improved without any lateral instability. There is no iatrogenic intraarticular damage, so there are no secondary joint degeneration, pains and invalidity.