Elbow Dislocations in a Canadian Metropolitan Health Region: A 3-Year Population-Based Incidence Study

BackgroundThere 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.MethodsFrom 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.ResultsOne 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.DiscussionThe 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.