Polytrauma
A 35-year-old motorcyclist is brought to the emergency department after a high-speed collision. His right arm shows obvious deformity at both the mid-humerus and mid-forearm with associated soft tissue swelling. The elbow segment appears to move independently. Radial pulse is palpable but forearm compartments are tense. The trauma surgeon diagnoses a floating elbow injury. Regarding floating elbow injuries in adults:
Mark each as TRUE or FALSE
Floating elbow refers to ipsilateral fractures of the humerus and forearm (radius and/or ulna) creat...
The injury is associated with high rates of open fractures (30-40%), neurovascular compromise (radia...
Cast immobilization alone is the standard treatment for adult floating elbow injuries; surgical stab...
Surgical stabilization of both fracture segments (plate fixation for forearm, plate or IMN for humer...
Elbow stiffness is the most common functional complication, particularly with prolonged immobilizati...
Answer the questions to see explanations
Click T (True) or F (False) for each option