Main Article Content
Clinical and Plain Radiograph Pattern of Joint Dislocations and Subluxations in Ilorin
Abstract
Background: Dislocation is derangement of a joint; aetiology varies from motor vehicle accident (MVA) to simple fall. Plain radiograph is an integral part of early assessment of patients' evaluation, though newer imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US) are now available for detailed evaluation of cases.
Aims: To evaluate the correlation between the clinical and radiological diagnoses of joint dislocation and determine distribution of patients with joint injuries, and match them with their etiologies in this environment.
Method: A retrospective analysis of plain radiograph records of 123 patients assessed clinically or radiologically as having dislocations or joint injuries; spanning a period of three years (January 2004 to December 2006) was conducted.
Result: Radiological diagnoses of dislocation was 78 (63.4%), and subluxation 45 (36.6%), compared to clinical diagnoses of 42 (34.1%) and 7 (5.7%) respectively. The students are the most affected occupational group, 41 (33.3%) cases, while 10-29yr olds are the most frequent age groups, contributing 43 (35%) of the cases. Surprisingly injuries from Road Traffic Accidents (RTA/RTI), 24 (14%) cases came second to injuries from fall from heights/sport with 48 (29.4%). The gleno-humeral joint is the most involved in dislocation, 35 cases (44.30%) out of 78 cases,
followed by elbow joints with 16 cases (20.25%).
Conclusion: The shoulder joint is the most frequently dislocated and a conventional plain radiograph is still valuable as a first line investigative modality in evaluation of joint injuries.
Aims: To evaluate the correlation between the clinical and radiological diagnoses of joint dislocation and determine distribution of patients with joint injuries, and match them with their etiologies in this environment.
Method: A retrospective analysis of plain radiograph records of 123 patients assessed clinically or radiologically as having dislocations or joint injuries; spanning a period of three years (January 2004 to December 2006) was conducted.
Result: Radiological diagnoses of dislocation was 78 (63.4%), and subluxation 45 (36.6%), compared to clinical diagnoses of 42 (34.1%) and 7 (5.7%) respectively. The students are the most affected occupational group, 41 (33.3%) cases, while 10-29yr olds are the most frequent age groups, contributing 43 (35%) of the cases. Surprisingly injuries from Road Traffic Accidents (RTA/RTI), 24 (14%) cases came second to injuries from fall from heights/sport with 48 (29.4%). The gleno-humeral joint is the most involved in dislocation, 35 cases (44.30%) out of 78 cases,
followed by elbow joints with 16 cases (20.25%).
Conclusion: The shoulder joint is the most frequently dislocated and a conventional plain radiograph is still valuable as a first line investigative modality in evaluation of joint injuries.
