The use of osseous suture anchors in the treatment of severe, complicated elbow dislocations.

Seventeen patients who sustained severe trauma resulting in dislocation or fracture-dislocation of the elbow were treated using osseous suture anchors to repair the soft-tissue constraints of the elbow. In 15 of these patients, the medial collateral ligament and flexor-pronator origin were repaired. Ten patients underwent repair of the lateral collateral ligament using anchors. Five patients were also treated with a hinged external fixator. All of the elbows were rendered grossly unstable by the injury; all of the patients had stable elbows at follow-up. Elbow flexion averaged 127 degrees; an average 19 degrees extension loss was noted. The arc of forearm rotation averaged 156 degrees. The aggressive approach detailed in this report is applicable only to severe injuries to the elbow, not routine dislocations. These cases demonstrate the reliability of the osseous suture anchor in the operative treatment of massive trauma to the elbow.