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.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We wanted to assess the radiological and clinical results and the prognostic factors after an operation for capitellar fractures associated with/without other injury around the elbow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among the 25 patients (mean age: 49 years-old) who underwent open reduction and internal fixation for capitellar fractures, there were nineteen type 1 fractures and six type 3 fractures. The mean follow up period was 14.8 months. We assessed the factors affecting the radiological and functional results, such as the fracture pattern, the patient age and the surgical approaches. RESULTS: In 24 of 25 patients, bony union was achieved at postoperative 1 year. There were eighteen excellent, four good, two fair and one poor functional results according to the Broberg and Morrey elbow score. The most common type was type 1 and the most common associated injury was lateral condylar fracture. The patients with type 1 fracture rather than the patients with type 3 fracture and the patients who had an extraarticular associated fracture rather than an intraarticular associated fracture had better clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: 22 (88%) of the patients were satisfied at the result. The type of capitellar fracture and an associated intraarticular elbow fracture were shown to be important prognostic factors in this study.
Subject(s)
Humans , Elbow , Elbow Joint , Follow-Up StudiesABSTRACT
Capitellar fracture was first described by Hahn in 1853. It is rare, espically in children, and has been occurred 0.5% to 1% of incidence of all elbow injuries. Factures of the capitellum can involve a significant portion of the articular surfaces. It is desirable to reduce and internally fix the capitellar fragment, if possible, because this restores the artucular surface and augment joint stability. Three patients with displaced fractures of the capitellum(capitulum humeri) were treated by open reduction and internal fixation using Herbert screws, which stabilized the joint, allowed anatomical reduction, and gave rigid fixation. Postoperatively, early motion of the joint was allowed. All fractures were united without evidence of avascular necrosis and final follow-up was excellent.