Floating-Variant Medial Elbow Dislocation: A New Classification System

Abstract

Floating-variant elbow dislocation is a newly updated term used to describe several associations of fractures around the elbow and elbow dislocation that are still not adequately classified due to their rarity. Being extremely rare, only a handful of case reports are found in the literature describing this condition. Most of these papers described cases associated with the posterior or posterolateral direction of elbow dislocation, wherein each author has treated the fracture differently. The decision of surgical treatment, the order of fixation, the material used, and the need for ligamentous repair are all questions that are yet to be answered. We present herein a unique new variant of floating medial elbow dislocation in a 13-year-old female that was successfully treated by closed reduction of the elbow, open reduction of the distal humerus fracture, and orthopedic treatment of the radial shaft fracture.