ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the efficacy of fixation with cannulated screws alone via the Kocher approach in the treatment of adult humeral capitulum fractures.Methods:From August 2016 to August 2020, 16 patients with humeral capitulum fracture were treated at Department of Upper Limb Orthopedics, Zhengzhou Orthopaedic Hospital. They were 10 males and 6 females, aged from 36 to 62 years (average, 45 years). The left side was affected in 10 cases and the right side in 6. According to the Ring classification, 3 cases were type Ⅰ, 3 cases type Ⅱ, 6 cases type Ⅲ, and 4 cases type Ⅳ. All patients were treated with the Kocher approach on the lateral side of the elbow. After reduction under direct vision, the fractures were fixated temporarily with Kirschner wires and finally with cannulated screws. On the second postoperative day, the patients started active flexion and extension of the elbow joint and took indomethacin orally to prevent heterotopic ossification. At the last follow-up, the curative efficacy was evaluated according to the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS). The flexion and extension of the elbow joint and the rotation of the forearm were also recorded.Results:All patients were followed up for 10 to 19 months (mean, 14.3 months) after surgery. Bony union was achieved after 7 to 12 monthes (average, 11.3 monthes) in all the 16 patients, 2 of whom developed heterotopic ossification. By the MEPS evaluation at the last follow-up, 8 cases were excellent, 6 good and 2 fair, scoring an average of 89.5 points (from 73 to 95 points). At the last follow-up, the elbow flexion ranged from 80° to 130° (averaging 113°), extension from 5° to 30° (averaging 15°), forearm pronation from 62° to 75° (averaging 67°), and forearm supination from 50° to 90° (averaging 75°).Conclusion:When the fracture ends are exposed through the lateral Kocher approach, the fracture fragments fixated with cannulated screws only, and the patients encouraged to start elbow joint exercises in the early stage, the treatment of adult humeral capitulum fractures can result in satisfactory curative effects.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical effects of headless double-threaded compression screws plus microplate for treatment of capitellar fracture of Ring type Ⅱ.Methods In the period from March 2015 to February 2018,12 capitellar fractures of Ring type Ⅱ were treated at Department of Upper limb Orthopedics,Zhengzhou Orthopaedics Hospital.There were 8 men and 4 women,aged from 25 to 57 years (average,35.4 years).There were 5 left and 7 right fractures.The fractures were exposed and reduced through the posterolateral elbow approach in 6 patients and through the lateral elbow approach in the other 6 ones.Fixation of all the fractures was conducted with headless double-threaded compression screws plus microplate.At the final follow-up,the elbow function was evaluated by the Mayo elbow performance score and the severity of traumatic arthritis by the Broberg & Morrey imaging criteria.Results All the patients were followed up for 9 to 36 months (average,23 months).The fracture healing time ranged from 9 to 12 weeks (average,10.6weeks).The final follow-ups revealed fine stability of the affected elbow joint in all the patients,and no loss of reduction,loosening or breakage of internal fixators or ischemic necrosis in any case.At the final follow-ups,the elbow inflection angles ranged from 90° to 130° (average,114.3°),the elbow extension angles from 0° to 20°(average,12.4°),the forearm pronation angles from 50° to 85° (average,70.5°) and the forearm supination angles from 45° to 80° (average,64.3°).The Mayo elbow performance scores at the final follow-up averaged 93.2points (from 85 to 100 points),yielding 8 excellent and 4 good cases.According to the Broberg & Morrey imaging criteria,10 patients showed no regressive change and 2 patients change by one grade.Conclusions A proper surgical approach should be chosen according to the preoperative imaging findings.The fracture of articular surface can be firmly fixated by head-less double-threaded compression screws and the integrity of the distal lateral column of the humerus can be restored with a microplate to achieve a strong biomechanical fixation.Fine clinical outcomes can be obtained by early functional exercise.