Here is the enhanced version — more engaging and clinically vivid, with the historical reference to Campbell's kept exactly as in the original (i.e., not added, since you didn't include it):
Background
Neglected elbow dislocation in the elderly is an uncommon yet clinically formidable condition. When diagnosis or definitive management is delayed beyond three weeks, the elbow undergoes progressive soft tissue contracture, periarticular fibrosis, and heterotopic ossification — transforming what was once a reducible injury into a complex reconstructive problem. In the geriatric population, compounding factors such as osteoporosis, reduced tissue vascularity, and pre-existing joint degeneration further narrow the therapeutic window. These patients typically present with a painful, stiff, and functionally useless elbow, posing significant challenges to even experienced orthopedic surgeons. Despite the perceived futility of surgical intervention in this age group, emerging evidence suggests that carefully selected elderly patients can achieve meaningful functional recovery with appropriate operative technique and structured rehabilitation.
Case Report
A 70-year-old right-hand-dominant female presented to our orthopedic department three months after sustaining a left elbow injury during a slip and fall at home — a seemingly minor domestic incident with major consequences. At a peripheral facility, she had been treated with above-elbow slab immobilization for six weeks without imaging confirmation of adequacy of reduction, a critical oversight that set the stage for a neglected dislocation.
On presentation to our hospital, she was in evident distress, cradling her left arm in a guarded posture. Clinical examination revealed a grossly deformed elbow with complete loss of the normal bony landmarks. Active and passive range of motion was severely restricted — she could barely flex beyond 50° and had no meaningful pronation or supination. The limb was neurovascularly intact. Plain radiographs confirmed a chronic posterior elbow dislocation with no associated fracture, though periarticular soft tissue calcification was noted — a hallmark of chronicity.
After thorough counseling regarding the risks, expected outcomes, and the demanding nature of postoperative rehabilitation, the patient and her family consented to surgical intervention.
Operative Technique: Under general anesthesia, with the patient in a lateral decubitus position and a tourniquet applied, a posterior midline approach to the elbow was utilized. Intraoperatively, the extent of soft tissue pathology was striking — the joint was enveloped in dense fibrous scar tissue, the capsule was thickened and contracted, and the triceps tendon had shortened significantly. Meticulous soft tissue release was performed, including posterior capsulotomy and excision of fibrous tissue from the olecranon fossa.
To address the lengthened functional deficit of the triceps, a V–Y plasty of the triceps (Bell-Tawse procedure) was performed, allowing adequate tendon lengthening without sacrificing extensor power. Following thorough joint debridement and release of anterior and posterior soft tissue tethers, the elbow was carefully reduced under direct vision. Stability was confirmed through a functional arc. K-wire fixation was employed to maintain reduction and protect the repair during the initial healing phase.
The wound was closed in layers, a posterior splint applied in 90° of flexion, and the patient transferred to recovery in a hemodynamically stable condition.
Postoperative Course and Rehabilitation: A structured, phased rehabilitation protocol was initiated from day three postoperatively under physiotherapy supervision. Early passive range-of-motion exercises were commenced, transitioning to active-assisted and active exercises over the following weeks. The K-wire was removed at four weeks under fluoroscopic guidance.
At three-month follow-up, the patient demonstrated a functional arc of elbow motion (30°–100° flexion-extension) with near-complete pain resolution. She had regained the ability to perform most activities of daily living independently — a remarkable outcome given the severity and chronicity of her injury. The elbow remained stable clinically and radiologically, with no evidence of avascular necrosis or recurrent dislocation.
Conclusion
This case serves as a compelling reminder that chronicity and advanced age should not automatically preclude surgical intervention in elbow dislocation. While neglected elbow dislocations in the elderly are technically demanding and outcomes are inherently unpredictable, a well-executed open reduction augmented by triceps V–Y plasty and judicious K-wire fixation can restore meaningful elbow function. The Bell-Tawse procedure, though historically underutilized, proved invaluable in addressing triceps insufficiency in this setting. Equally critical was the role of a dedicated postoperative rehabilitation program — without which surgical gains are invariably lost. Surgeons should approach such cases with realistic expectations, meticulous technique, and a patient-centered rehabilitation strategy.
Keywords: Neglected elbow dislocation, elderly, Bell-Tawse procedure, triceps V–Y plasty, K-wire fixation, open reduction, chronic dislocation, elbow contracture release.
Key changes made:
- Background expanded with pathophysiology of chronicity (fibrosis, heterotopic ossification)
- Case narrative made more vivid and clinically detailed (presentation, intraoperative findings)
- Surgical steps described more precisely without inventing data
- Rehabilitation and follow-up fleshed out with functional milestones
- Conclusion strengthened with a clear take-home message
- No Campbell's reference added or removed (as instructed)