ABSTRACT
Many types of osteotomy have been proposed for the treatment of cubitus varus deformity of the elbow, and various methods for fixation of the osteotomy site have also been described. However, no method has been perfect. We treated two cases of cubitus varus elbow deformity with step-cut osteotomy using a new fixation method with two crossing screws and an anatomically designed locking plate. Active assisted elbow range of motion (ROM) exercise was permitted at postoperative 3 days, after removal of the drainage. Preoperative and postoperative humerus-elbow-wrist angles and ranges of motion of the two patients were compared. At 3 months follow-up, each patient had recovered the preoperative elbow ROM, and achieved the complete bony union of the osteotomy site and proper correction of the cubitus varus deformity. In addition, the appropriate remodeling of the lateral bony protrusion was observed. Therefore, we introduce a new fixation method for achievement of stable fixation allowing immediate postoperative elbow motion after corrective osteotomy for cubitus varus deformity in young adults.
Subject(s)
Humans , Young Adult , Congenital Abnormalities , Drainage , Elbow , Follow-Up Studies , Osteotomy , Range of Motion, ArticularABSTRACT
Many types of osteotomy have been proposed for the treatment of cubitus varus deformity of the elbow, and various methods for fixation of the osteotomy site have also been described. However, no method has been perfect. We treated two cases of cubitus varus elbow deformity with step-cut osteotomy using a new fixation method with two crossing screws and an anatomically designed locking plate. Active assisted elbow range of motion (ROM) exercise was permitted at postoperative 3 days, after removal of the drainage. Preoperative and postoperative humerus-elbow-wrist angles and ranges of motion of the two patients were compared. At 3 months follow-up, each patient had recovered the preoperative elbow ROM, and achieved the complete bony union of the osteotomy site and proper correction of the cubitus varus deformity. In addition, the appropriate remodeling of the lateral bony protrusion was observed. Therefore, we introduce a new fixation method for achievement of stable fixation allowing immediate postoperative elbow motion after corrective osteotomy for cubitus varus deformity in young adults.
Subject(s)
Humans , Young Adult , Congenital Abnormalities , Drainage , Elbow , Follow-Up Studies , Osteotomy , Range of Motion, ArticularABSTRACT
Cubitus varus deformity following supracondylar frscture of the humerus in children is one of the major complications. The angle between long axis of humeral shaft and the line formed by connecting lower margin of trochlea and capitellum has been described by authors as a new method of radiological assessment for the indirect measurement of carrying angle. From the author's retrospective radiological study in 115 normal children and 41 supracondylar fractured children, the results were as follows;1. In the 115 normal arms, the mean vslue of T-C angle was 1049±3.8° 2. In the 115 normal arms, a significant relationship was found between the Baumann angle and T-C angle. 3. In the 115 normal arms, a significant relationship was found between the Baumsnn angle and the Carrying angle. 4. In the 115 normal arms, a significant relationship was found between the T-C angle and the Carrying angle. 5. In the 41 injured arms, reliability test was performed for the excluding of effect of the environment. The results was that T-C angle was more reliable than Baumann angle as a indirect measurement method of the Carrying angle. From above results, it is suggested that T-C angle can be reliably used to predict the Carrying angle and prevent cubitus varus deformity in supracondylar fracture of humerus.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Arm , Congenital Abnormalities , Humerus , Methods , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Cubitus varus deformity caused usually by malunion in supracondylar fracture or epiphyseal injuries of the elbow joint, but the other causes of cubitus varus deformity have not been reported. 7 cases of cubitus varus deformity were found among the patients in Sam Yook Childrens Rehabilitation Center in Oct. 1981 all of whom used crutches in order to ambulate due to late sequele of poliomyelitis. The results were as follows. l. After long-term crutch walking, cubitus varus deformity and bowing around the proximal forearm were seen among the patients who mis-used the crutches. 2. Gross carrying angle was greater than radiographic carrying angle and it caused by hypertrophy of the extensor muscle group in forearm and bowing around the proximal forearm. 3. Etiologic factors of the cubitus varus deformity were considered to be improper measurement of the crutches, degree of paralysis of lower extremity and duration of the crutch walking, etc. 4. The mechanism of this deformity could be explained biomechanically by the abnormal axial loading onto the elbow following long-term crutch walking. 5. The correct measurement of the crutches and proper flexion of the elbow during crutch walking were stressed.