Dislocation and Fracture Reductions Bucky Boaz, ARNP-C

Dislocation and Fracture Reductions

Bucky Boaz, ARNP-C

Colles’ Fracture Reduction

Colles’ Fracture FOOSH Dorsal angulation of

distal fragment. Dinner-fork deformity.


Closed Reduction Method1. An assistant holds the elbow

and offers countertraction.2. Apply traction with the right

hand and thumb applied to the distal fragment.

3. The forearm is supinated and held with the opposite hand.

4. The fracture is then disimpacted by allowing dorsal angulation while maintaining supinated position.


Then1. The reduction is locked

by pronating the forearm and wrist.

2. The left hand remains stationary while pronation is done entirely by the reducing hand.

3. The wrist is directed into ulnar deviation by this maneuver to correct a radial and dorsal angulation of the distal fragment.


Apply a sugartong splint and sling.


Alternative Method1. While in supine position,

apply finger traction device.

2. Elbow flexed at right angle.

3. Forearm is in neutral position.

4. Countertraction is applied using sling and weight.

5. Traction is maintained for approx 5 minutes to pull radial styloid distal to ulnar styloid.


Postreduction X-ray1. The normal length of the

radius has been restored. Radial styloid is distal to ulnar styloid.

2. The articular plane of the radius is now directed toward the ulna.

3. The articular surface of the radius is directed downward, forward, and inward.

Posterior Elbow Dislocation

Except for the shoulder, the elbow is the joint most frequently dislocated, and in children less than 10 years of age elbow dislocation occurs more than any other luxation.

Considerable violence is absorbed and 30-40% are associated with adjacent fractures.


Dislocated elbows are at risk of vascular injury. (not as high as supracondylar fractures)

Due to extent of trauma, posterior splinting after reduction better than casting.

Usually, reduction is quite simple. Most elbows are stable after reduction.


Typical mechanism of an elbow dislocation

1. A fall backward on the arm with the elbow in a flexed position and

2. The forearm supinated is the most common mechanism.

3. The injury causes radius and ulna to dislocate posterior to the humerus.

4. There may also freq. Be an associated fracture of the radial head or

5. The coracoid process of the ulna.



Pathophysiology1. Soft tissue injury

associated with dislocation progresses in a circle from lateral to medial in three stages.

2. The lateral capsule fails first, followed by the anterior and posterior capsule.

3. Complete or partial disruption of the medial collateral ligament may also occur with severe injury.


Typical deformity (uncomplicated posterior dislocation)

1. The forearm appears to be shortened.

2. The olecranon is very prominent.



Prereduction X-ray Lateral view

1. Both bones of the forearm are displaced

2. The coronoid process of the ulna impinges on the posterior aspect of the humerus in the olecranon fossa

AP View3. Look for displacement4. Radius and ulna likely to

maintain anatomic position in relation to each other




Anesthesia for Reduction

1. Insert a 20-gauge needle into the joint proximal to the dislocated radial head.

2. Aspirate hemarthrosis.

3. Inject 10cc anesthetic and wait 10 minutes before reduction.


Manipulative Reduction1. While an assistant holds

the arm and makes steady countertraction,

2. Grasp the wrist with one hand and make steady traction on the forearm in the position in which it lies.

3. While traction is maintained, correct any lateral displacement with the other hand.


Then1. While traction is

maintained,2. Gently flex the

forearm(with reduction, a click is usually felt and heard as the olecranon engages the articular surface of the humerus)


Evaluation of Stability Following Reduction

1. Gently move the elbow through normal range of motion in flexion and extension, and

2. Medial and lateral stressing. If the elbow is unstable, several diagnoses are possible: (a) in a child, entrapment of the medial epicondyle; (b) in an adult, unstable fracture of radial read or olecranon; or (c) medial or lateral disruption of the capsule


Quigley Technique1. Patient is prone on

table

2. Forearm is allowed to dangle toward the floor and

3. Operator applies traction by grasping the wrist and slowly pulling in the direction of the long axis of the forearm. (Gently)


4. After muscle relaxation occurs, the olecranon is grasped with the operator’s other hand using the thumb and index finger. The olecranon is then guided to the reduced position without force. In this way, medial or lateral components of the dislocation can be controlled and corrected.



Postreduction X-ray1. The articular surface

of the humerus is in its normal position in relation to the ulna.

2. Both bones have been restored from a lateral position to their normal position in relation to the humerus.


Immobilization1. Apply a posterior

splint from the upper arm to the base of the fingers.

2. Flex the elbow to 90º or as much as swelling permits.

Nursemaid’s Elbow

Relatively common disorder in children between 1 to 4 years of age.

Sudden traction on the extended pronated forearm is the usual mechanism.

X-ray examination tends to be normal. The child resists any movement of the elbow. Parents usually present the child with complaint

of wrist pain.

Nursemaid’s Elbow

Nursemaid’s Elbow

Pathology1. The mechanism of this

injury is a tear of the distal attachment of the orbicular ligament.

2. The radial head is able to slip partially through this ligament with the forearm pronated.

3. The orbicular ligament then becomes interposed between the articular surface of the radial head and the capitellum.

Nursemaid’s Elbow

Interposition of tornAnnular ligament

Nursemaid’s Elbow

Presentation1. The patient is a young

child (less than 4 years old)

2. The elbow is tender laterally, but it can be moved in flexion and extension.

3. The child holds the arm pronated and slightly flexed and refuses to supinate it.

Nursemaid’s Elbow

Manipulative Reduction

1. Grasp the wrist with one hand with the forearm extended and

2. With the other, grasp the elbow with the thumb resting over the radial head.

Nursemaid’s Elbow


1. As the forearm is fully supinated

2. Apply firm pressure on the radial head and

3. Push the forearm directly upward.

Nursemaid’s Elbow

1

2

3

Glenohumeral Dislocations

The glenohumeral joint is the most mobile and unstable joint in the body.

Only 25-30% of the humeral head is covered by the glenoid in any position.

The capsule of the shoulder is a relatively lax and redundant structure to allow the wide mobility required of the glenohumeral articulation.


The capsule is particularly important is resisting anterior or posterior dislocation of the humeral head out of the relatively shallow glenoid.

The major force preventing downward dislocation of the glenohumeral joint is the net effect of suction.

The muscles about the shoulder contribute minimally to shoulder stability.

For most patients with shoulder instability, the major defect is caused by the capsular ligaments and attachments of these ligaments to the glenoid and glenoid labrium


1. Capsule is extremely loose and redundant superiorly and inferiorly.

2. Only 30% of humeral head is covered by or articulates with glenoid.

3. Biceps tendon helps seal off capsule contributing to suction effect.



Stabilizing Structures Ligaments

1. Glenoid fossa2. Glenoid labrum3. Biceps (long head)4. Superior glenohumeral

ligament5. Middle glenohumerl

ligament6. Inferior glenohumeral

ligament7. Subscapular process


Cause of dislocation If rotation of the humerus is obstructed, the greater

tuberosity impinges against the acromion and becomes locked in this position.

Forcing the humerus beyond the locked position results in either a dislocation or a fracture of the humerus.

Most individuals sustain an anterior dislocation from vigorous activities, i.e. sports.


Mechanism for Anterior Dislocation

1. Acromion impinges against the greater tuberosity and levers out of the joint anteriorly.

2. Anterior ligaments and capsule are severely stretched and torn, thus permitting a dislocation.



X-rays AP view of the

shoulder should be perpendicular to the plane of the scapula rather than standard AP shoulder view.

Permits full view of glenoid rim




X-rays Careful axillary views

may also show avulsion fractures of the anterior rim


Posterior dislocation1. Violent internal

rotation levers the humerus completely out of the glenoid fossa.

2. Posterior capsule is severely torn, thus permitting a posterior dislocation.


Types of Anterior Dislocations Subcoracoid

dislocation (most common)

Subclavicular dislocation (rare)

Subglenoid dislocation (rare)



Typical Deformity of Subcoracoid Dislocation

1. Arm is fixed in slight abduction and directed upward and inward.

2. Shoulder is flattened.3. Acromion process is unduly

prominent.4. Elbow is flexed.5. Forearm is rotated internally.6. Abnormal prominence exists

in the subcoracoid region.


Glenohumeral Reductions

Stimson’s Technique This should be tried first

(least traumatic)1. Patient is prone on the

edge of the table2. Then 10-kg weights are

attached to the arm, and the patient maintains this position for 10-15 min.

3. Occasionally, gentle external and internal rotation of the shoulder aids in reduction.


Stimson’s Technique


Hippocratic Method1. Practitioner’s stockinged

foot is place in between the patient’s chest wall and axilla folds but not in the axilla.

2. Steady traction is maintained while the patient gradually relaxes.

3. Shoulder is slowly rotated externally and abducted.

4. Gentle internal rotation reduces the humeral head.


Hippocratic Method


Kocher’s Maneuver1. Affected elbow is flexed

to 90º.

2. Wrist and point of elbow are gently grasped as the patient relaxes. (at all times the arm is kept pressed against the body.

3. The arm is slowly externally rotated up to about 80º where resistance is felt.


Kocher’s Maneuver


Kocher’s Maneuver1. The externally rotated

arm is lifted upward in the sagital plane as far as possible.

2. The humerus is internally rotated, and the head gently pops into the joint as reduction is achieved.

3. The internally rotated arm is then brought down against the chest with the shoulder reduced.


Traction and Counter-traction

1. For larger patients or if help is available, wrap a swathe through the axilla to stabilize chest.

2. After sedation, gentle traction for 5-10 min at the arm in line with deformity.

3. Gradually increase traction and internally or externally rotate to disengage head of humerus.

4. With gentle maneuver, head slips into socket.


Traction and Counter-traction


Scapula Maneuver

Postreduction X-ray The head of the

humerus should be in normal relationship to the glenoid cavity.

No fracture should be evident.


Before and after techniques examine patient for neurovascular involvement.

Post reduction immobilize patient in a sling and swathe.


Patella Dislocation

Most often occurs in persons susceptible to instability of the patella because of a high riding (patella alta) or abnormality of a laterally displaced patella in a valgus knee (increased Q-angle)

Most often, the high riding patella subluxates or dislocated with a sudden twisting of the extended or slightly flexed knee.

Patella Dislocation

Mechanism of Acute Dislocation

1. Typically, the patient bears weight on the slightly flexed knee, and

2. A sudden external rotation or twisting load to the femur causes the patella to slide superiorly over the lateral femoral condyle.

3. As the knee flexes, the patella jumps over the lateral condyle and the knee collapses.

Patella Dislocation

Patella Dislocation

Patella Dislocation

Prereduction X-ray1. The patella lies on

the lateral aspect of the lateral femoral condyle.

2. The patella is displaced slightly downward.

Patella Dislocation


1. Extend the knee gradually while,

2. Medialward pressure is made upon the patella, pushing it over the lateral femoral condyle.

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Dislocation and Fracture Reductions Bucky Boaz, ARNP-C