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Objective:To investigate the relationship between fragment size of ulnar coronoid process fracture and patient prognosis.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted of the 34 patients who had been treated at Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Hospital Affiliated to Lanzhou University for fracture of ulnar coronoid process combined with elbow dislocation from July 2016 to December 2020. They were assigned into 2 groups according to their different treatments. In the surgery (internal fixation) group of 23 cases, there were 15 males and 8 females, aged from 22 to 71 years; in the conservative treatment group of 11 cases, there were 8 males and 3 females, aged from 38 to 78 years. Preoperatively, the sizes of coronoid process and fracture fragments were measured by elbow CT scan and 3D reconstruction, and a size-weighted ratio Z (%) corresponding to the fragment of coronoid process fracture was calculated. At the last follow-up, American Hospital for Special Surgery total elbow scoring system (HSS2) score was used to assess their therapeutic efficacy, the correlation between the ratio Z and HSS2 score for elbow function was calculated, and complications were recorded.Results:There were no significant differences between the surgery and conservative treatment groups in gender or age ( P>0.05). All the 34 patients were followed up for 18 to 54 months (average, 36.7 months). At the last follow-up, the HSS2 score was 93.77±0.84 (from 82 to 98) for the surgery group and 86.00±1.42 (from 78 to 90) for the conservative treatment group; the complications rate was 13.04% (3/23) for the former and 63.64% (7/11) for the latter. There was a linear relationship between the size-weighted ratio Z of the coronoid fracture fragment and the HSS2 elbow function score in the surgery group ( P<0.01). The linear regression equation between them was: y=99.44-0.121x ( r2=0.86, P<0.01). There was a linear relationship between the size-weighted ratio Z of the coronoid fracture fragment and the HSS2 elbow function score in the conservative treatment group ( P<0.01). The linear regression equation between them was: y=89.46-0.144x ( r2=-0.91, P<0.01). When a HSS2 elbow joint function score 90 was substituted into both linear regression equations, the results were x=78.02 for the surgery group and x=3.75 for the conservative treatment group. Conclusions:Conservative treatment may not lead to a satisfactory prognosis for the patients with coronoid process fracture whose size-weighted ratio of fracture fragment is larger than 3.75. Open reduction and internal fixation usually leads to a satisfactory prognosis for those whose size-weighted ratio of fracture fragment is smaller than 78.02.
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Objective To investigate the effect of medial collateral ligament (MCL) repair and coronoid process fracture fixation on stability of the Terrible Triad of the elbow. Methods CT and MRI scan images of elbow joints from one healthy 28-year-old male volunteer were used to establish three elbow models. Model A: normal model. Model B: repair of coronoid process fractures, without MCL repair. Model C: repair of MCL, without repair of ulnar coronoid processes. Longitudinal loads were applied on the three models to analyze the displacement and stress distributions of the elbow joint under different working conditions and compare the stability of the elbow joint. Results The displacement and stress distributions of the three models were similar. The maximum displacement and maximum stress of the articular surface were located at the ulna pulley notch, while the minimum displacement was located at the coronoid process and its medial side. The minimum stress was located at the lower lateral side of the coronoid process. There were no statistical differences in the maximum displacement and stress among the three models (P>0.05). Conclusions When the lateral column is stable, the effect of repairing the MCL and fixing the fracture block of ulnar coronoid process is similar.
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Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of a modified anteromedial approach in the treatment of ulnar coronoid process fracture. Methods: Between February 2017 and July 2018, 15 patients with ulna coronoid process fracture were reviewed. There were 9 males and 6 females, with an average age of 42.3 years (range, 24-60 years). The causes of injury included falling in 10 cases and traffic accidents in 5 cases, all cases were closed injury. According to the O'Driscoll classification, there were 4 cases of type Ⅰ, 6 cases of type Ⅱ, and 5 cases of type Ⅲ. The time from injury to operation was 2-8 days (mean, 3.7 days). All fractures were treated via a modified anteromedial approach between the pronator teres and the flexor carpi radialis plus with partial incision of flexor tendon aponeurosis. The fracture healing, muscle strength of forearm, postoperative complications were observed. At last follow-up, the elbow mobility were measured, the function of elbow was evaluated by Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS). Results: All cases were followed up 10-18 months (mean, 13.3 months). Fracture union was achieved in all patients with a mean time of 10 weeks (range, 8-14 weeks). No obvious decrease of hand grip strength, nerve injury, and infection occurred. One patient had slight heterotopic ossification without special treatment. At last follow-up, all patients had stable elbows with good flexion-extension and varus-valgus stability, the mean flexion was 123.3° (range, 100°-140°), mean extension loss compared with that before operation was 6.7° (range, 0°-20°), mean pronation was 76.0° (range, 60°-85°), and mean supination was 75.8° (range, 55°-90°). The MEPS score was 65-100 (mean, 90.3) with the result of excellent in 10 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 1 case. Conclusion: The treatment of ulnar coronoid process fracture via the modified anteromedial approach provides excellent exposure, minimal invasion, fewer complications, and satisfactory prognosis, which is conducive to elbow joint function recovery.
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PURPOSE: Bifocal fracture of the proximal ulna is a fracture of the olecranon accompanied by fracture of the coronoid process. The purpose of the current study was to analyze the clinical results of the author's technique in bifocal fracture of the proximal ulna. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients (10 men, 5 women) treated at CHA Bundang Medical Center from April 2006 to October 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients underwent internal fixation using a locking compression plate (LCP) with retrograde screw fixation of the coronoid process through a screw hole of the plate. Mean age of the patients was 42.6 years and the mean follow-up period was 18.6 months. Comminuted coronoid fractures with hard to screw fixation, complex injuries combined with open damage, and complete ligament rupture were excluded. Fracture union and articular congruity were examined on the follow-up radiographs. Range of motion, disability of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score, and Mayo elbow performance score were evaluated for functional analysis. RESULTS: Fracture union was achieved and articular step off was less than 2 mm in all patients on the follow-up radiographs. The mean value of modified Mayo elbow score was 92.14 (80–100) and DASH score was 7.11 at last follow-up. The mean range of motion of elbow was 128o. There was one case of small heterotopic ossification as a radiographic complication which had no functional deficit. CONCLUSION: Internal fixation of bifocal multifragmentary articular fractures of the proximal ulna with anatomically contoured LCP olecranon plate and retrograde long screws could be a recommendable surgical procedure. This study showed that the precontoured plate with retrograde coronoid process screw fixation can produce good clinical and radiographic outcomes in bifocal fractures of the proximal ulna. We recommend this procedure in this type of fracture.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Arm , Elbow , Follow-Up Studies , Hand , Ligaments , Olecranon Process , Ossification, Heterotopic , Range of Motion, Articular , Retrospective Studies , Rupture , Shoulder , UlnaABSTRACT
The terrible triad of elbow is a kind of complex elbow fracture dislocation, after reduction, it should get a concentric circles joint reduction and elbow stability, if radial and coronoid process fractures is less piece, the conservative treatment can be performed, but regularly follow up is mandatory. If surgical treatment was chosen, radial head fractures and the lateral collateral ligament complex must be repaired. Single lateral approach can be used and also can be combined with anteromedial approach in surgery. Some problems are still controversial in the treatment of coronoid process fracture with Morry type I and type II, such as fixation or not, whether additional external fixation and repair of the medial collateral ligament injury at the same time.
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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the advantages and effectiveness of anterior neurovascular interval approach for fixation of ulna coronoid process fracture. METHODS: Between February 2011 and April 2015, 8 patients with ulna coronoid process fracture were treated with open reduction and internal fixation by anterior neurovascular interval approach. There were 5 males and 3 females, aged from 14 to 62 years (mean, 34 years). Fractures were caused by falling in 5 cases, traffic accident in 2 cases, and crashing in 1 case. The time between injury and operation was 1-6 days (mean, 3.5 days). According to Adams classification, there were 4 cases of type II, 1 case of type III, 2 cases of type IV, and 1 case of type V. In 1 patient with joint instability, lateral collateral ligament repair was given through another incision after fixation of coroniod fracture and the hinged external fixator, and plast splin was used to fix in the other patients; function exercise was done after removal of external fixtion. RESULTS: All incisions healed by first intention, and no complications of neurovascular injury and deep infection occurred. All patients were followed up 6-48 months (mean, 22 months). The healing time of fracture was 8-15 weeks (mean, 12.6 weeks). Mild myositis ossificans occurred in 1 case. The flexionextension arc of the elbow was (125.00±7.07)° and the forearm rotation was (135.00±7.07)°, showing no significant difference when compared with those of normal side[(126.88±7.53)° and (139.38±8.21)°] (t=0.469, P=0.654; t=2.198, P=0.054). According to Morrey's scale, the results were excellent in 6 cases, good in 2 cases; the excellent and good rate was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior neurovascular interval approach for reduction and internal fixation of ulna coroniod fractures has the advantages of simple operation, less trauma, and larger operative field. It can be used alone or combined with other surgical approaches.
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PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the surgical results of early mobilization after rigid fixation of small coronoid fracture using the tension band technique MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight cases of coronoid fracture were fixed with the tension band technique and using K-wire and wire through the medial approach. All the cases were Regan-Morrey type 2. According to O'Driscoll, they were classified as 5 cases of the tip type (subtype 2) and 3 cases of the anteromedial type (1 case of subtype 2, and 2 case of subtype 3). The associated collateral ligament injuries (6 cases) and radial head/neck fractures (4 cases) were managed simultaneously. After immobilization for 5~7 days, active ROM exercise with a fitted hinge brace started and continued till postoperative 6 weeks. The patients were assessed for pain, ROM and functional disability using the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) at an average of 11 months (range: 6~28 months). The ulnar nerve symptoms were also investigated. RESULTS: We observed solid union in all the coronoid fractures without hardware failure. An average of 2.2 wires (range: 2~4) were used. The mean extension was 3degrees (range: 0degrees~25degrees), the mean flexion was 137degrees (range: 130degrees~140degrees), the mean pronation was 69degrees (range: 45degrees~90degrees) and the mean supination was 78degrees (range: 45degrees~90degrees). The mean MEPS was 96 (range: 65~100). Ulnar nerve symptoms occurred at postoperative one day and persisted in one patient with the terrible triad of taking radial head excision and residual medial instability. CONCLUSION: The tension band technique uses easily obtained, economic K-wires and the wire was strong enough to permit early elbow ROM exercise and the technique might improve the elbow function. It was especially useful for fixation of multiple small fragments.
Subject(s)
Humans , Braces , Collateral Ligaments , Early Ambulation , Elbow , Elbow Joint , Head , Immobilization , Pronation , Supination , Ulnar NerveABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of eight cases of coronoid process fractures that were fixed with a plate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight coronoid process fractures were treated by plating and these cases were reviewed retrospectively. Six patients were men and two were women. The average age was 41 years (range: 22-79) at the time of injury. According to Regan's classification, there were five type 2 and three type 3. According to O'Driscoll's classification, there were five anteromedial type and three base type. Open reduction and internal fixation with a plate were performed through a medial approach by splitting of the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris. The patients were follow-up for a mean of 15.8 months (range: 6-25). We evaluated the clinical outcomes with using the Mayo Elbow Performance Score. RESULTS: The average active motion of the elbow joint was 120 degrees. The average Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 86.9. There were 5 excellent results, 1 good result and 2 fair results. SUMMARY: Plating through a medial approach of the elbow provided stable fixation and satisfactory union for treating displaced coronoid process fractures with the unstable elbow.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Elbow , Elbow Joint , Follow-Up Studies , Head , Retrospective Studies , UlnaABSTRACT
PURPOSE: It is very important to evaluate and fix coronoid process fractures because they are a critical element for a stable, effective elbow function. The lateral view of the elbow joint is used for a radiographic evaluation of the coronoid but an understanding of the fracture pattern is often difficult because of overlap of the radial head and obliquity of the fracture line. We developed the coronoid view, which is a new radiograph for an evaluation of the coronoid process fracture, and discuss its advantages for a postoperative follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The coronoid view was designed for an evaluation of the anteromedial fragment of the coronoid process. After the patient sat on his side, the shoulder was abducted 45degrees and the elbow was flexed 90degrees The X-ray beam was shot perpendicular to the table. Since shoulder was abducted 45degrees the fracture line of the coronoid process can be parallel to the X-ray beam, and the radial head can be cleared. CONCLUSION: The coronoid view can be a good alternative radiograph for an evaluation of a coronoid process fracture because the beam is parallel to the fracture line. The coronoid view can be particularly useful in postoperative patient follow-up where computed tomography is impractical due to metal implants and cost.
Subject(s)
Humans , Elbow , Elbow Joint , Follow-Up Studies , Head , ShoulderABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcome for terrible triad injury of the elbow joint. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed consecutive 10 cases retrospectively among 12 terrible triad injuries, which had been followed up for a minimum 1 year. The average age at the time of injury was 45 years (range, 32~72). All cases were dislocated posteriorly. The 3 cases had fracture of olecranon. Combined medial and lateral approach was performed in 3 cases, medial and lateral approach after extensile posterior approach in 4 cases, transolecranon approach using existed olecranon fracture in 2 cases, and transolecranon approach in 1 case were done. RESULTS: The average Mayo elbow performance score was 87, with 5 excellent, 4 good, and 1 poor results. Results by Riseborough and Radin's rating criteria include 9 good and 1 fair. The 8 cases were stable. But 2 cases were classified with moderate and severe instability; these cases had been performed by radial head allograft and excision respectively. CONCLUSION: A stable, functional elbow can be restored in terrible triad injury by early active rehabilitation after anatomic reduction and firm internal fixation.