Includes References

The main therapeutic target of complex elbow trauma is a narrow path
between stiffness and instability. In this regard, the elbow joint is one of the
anatomic regions that saw the biggest changes in therapeutic concepts during
the last decade. Over a long period, this joint was recognized as “the forgotten” joint since its complexity of bony and soft tissue structures orchestrating
a highly sophisticated mobility concept of flexion/extension and pro-/supination overstrained the armamentarium of classical surgical implant technologies. Hence, a functional bow of flexion/extension between 30° and 130° was
described as a sufficient therapeutic target tipping the scales towards stiffness. Due to the intensive research of several dedicated surgeons and the
development of several highly specific implant series, therapeutic options
were significantly improved during the last decade. Moreover, the thorough
understanding of soft tissue structures and their contribution to elbow joint
function induced a whole series of new surgical techniques to stabilize complex elbow injuries sufficiently. This approach allowed to control the instability problem more and more and extended the posttraumatic function
consecutively towards a more and more original functional ability.
Hence, the intention of this book was to gather those innovative technologies in a comprehensive piece of knowledge. It is clear that such an ambitious
goal can only be achieved by the concentrated work of leading international
experts. Therefore, I would like to express my deep thanks to all authors of
this book who shared their precious knowledge with the reader to the benefit
of our patients.
This book is part of the ARTOF (Association for the rational treatment of
fractures) trauma series published by Springer Nature. ARTOF (www.artofonline.org) is an independent scientific society dedicated to a strict scientific
approach of the best therapeutic concept of fractures.
More volumes are
Proximal Humerus Fractures
Fractures Around the Knee