• OBJECTIVES
    • To report early results of the "Internal Joint Stabilizer of the Elbow" (IJS-E) in the treatment of terrible triad injuries and other unstable traumatic elbow dislocations.
  • DESIGN
    • Retrospective cohort study.
  • SETTING
    • Level 1 trauma center.
  • PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS
    • Seventeen patients with traumatic elbow instability treated with IJS-E over a 2-year period; 7 of whom sustained terrible triad-type injuries.
  • INTERVENTIONS
    • Open reduction internal fixation with the "IJS-E".
  • MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
    • Elbow stability and arc of motion were assessed radiographically and clinically. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores were collected by telephone.
  • RESULTS
    • All elbows were radiographically stable at the time of IJS-E removal. Mean time of follow-up was 9 months from index operation (range, 2.5-24 months). Mean elbow arc of motion was restored to flexion-extension 92 degrees (range, 5-125; SD, 31 degrees) and forearm pronation-supination 139 degrees (range, 0-180; SD, 48 degrees). Mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was 22.2 (range, 7.5-45.7; SD, 13.3) for patients at least 1 month from surgery on the ipsilateral extremity. Five patients (30%) developed complications, and -2 (12%) required revision for implant failure.
  • CONCLUSIONS
    • The IJS-E offered reliable treatment of traumatic elbow instability, particularly terrible triad-type injuries. It permited early range of motion and was effective in restoring elbow stability. We believe that the use of this relatively novel system should be further explored.
  • LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
    • Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.