Abstract
Background
There are no current North American population-based incidence studies of elbow dislocations. This creates further challenges in assessing associated outcomes and complication rates. The present study aimed to determine the population-based incidence of elbow dislocations in a large Canadian city.
Methods
From April 2002 to March, 2005, consecutive cases of elbow dislocation were documented. Age-specific, gender-specific and age-adjusted rates for simple and complex dislocations were calculated according to patient demographic and 2001 Canadian census data. All rates were reported per 10,000 persons per year.
Results
One hundred thirty-seven dislocations (53 simple and 84 complex) were identified. Simple dislocations occurred at a rate of 0.262 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.191 to 0.332). Fracture-dislocations occurred at a rate of 0.415 (95% CI = 0.326 to 0.504). The overall age-adjusted incidence was 0.671 (95% CI = 0.638 to 0.704). With the exception of the 18 years to 29 years (rate = 0.916, 95% CI = 0.648 to 1.183) and ≥80 years groups (rate = 0.906, 95% CI = 0.112 to 1.700), all age groups had an approximate rate of 0.600.
Discussion
The results obtained in the present study are similar to those obtained in a previous European study. True population-based estimates of elbow dislocation incidence are provided, which may facilitate the assessment of outcomes and complication rates of such injuries.
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