Management of Elbow Ankylosis in a Head Injured Patient With Floating Elbow Injury

The development of heterotopic ossification around the elbow has been linked to trauma (particularly fractures or dislocations), closed head injury, spinal cord injury, burns of the extremity, genetic traits, adult respiratory distress syndrome, and orthotopic liver transplant.1-3 Pain and lack of motion are the most common complaints during the progression of ectopic bone about the joint.4 Opposite to common credence, fracture healing is not accelerated in patients with traumatic brain injury. Formation of heterotopic bone is not a clinically significant form of healing, therefore healing rates of patients with traumatic brain injury should coincide with those of the general population.5 Heterotopic bone formation on the medial side of the elbow can cause cubital tunnel compression and ultimately result in ulnar neuropathy.