Effects on Elbow Stability of the Terrible Triad Using Medial Collateral Ligament Repair and Ulnar Coronoid Process Fixation / 医用生物力学

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.

Treatment of ulnar coronoid process fractures in complex elbow injury with plate fixation through an anterior approach / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Ulnar coronoid process has special anatomy and it is adjacent to vascular nerve. It is characterized by weak fixation, unstable recurrence, postoperative elbow joint stiffness and pain. These make the treatment of ulnar coronoid process fracture, in particular in complex elbow joint injuries, challenged. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of internal fixation with steel plate through an anterior approach on ulnar coronoid process Regan-Morrey type II or type III fracture in complex elbow injury METHODS: Sixteen patients with complex elbow injury and ulnar coronoid process fractures who underwent open reduction and internal fixation were followed up between September 2012 and May 2017. Among these patients, 11 patients had Regan-Morrey type II fracture, 5 patients had Regan-Morrey type III fracture, 14 patients had humeral head fracture, and 2 patients had ulnar olecranon fracture. All patients provided written informed consent. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Hong Hui Hospital, China. Ulnar coronoid process fractures were reduced and fixed with steel plate through the space between the median nerve and the radial artery using an anterior approach. At the same time, all radial humeral head and olecranon fractures were treated by internal fixation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All patients acquired acceptable reduction and firm fixation of fractured fragments. All of them were followed up for 13-28 months. At the final follow-up, solid osseous union was confirmed for all coronoid fractures. The average time to radiologic union was 16.5 weeks. The mean flexion-extension arc was 113.4°, the flexion contracture was 13.8°, and further flexion was 127.2°. The mean pronation arc was 72.5°. The mean supination arc was 74.7°, and the mean forearm rotation arc was 146.9°. 11 patients achieved functional arc of motion. All patients were satisfied with the treatment with the mean Mayo Elbow Performance score of 90.3 points. 11 patients achieved excellent elbow performance and 5 patients achieved good elbow performance. These results suggest that ulnar coronoid process fractures in complex elbow injury can be treated successfully with an anterior surgical approach. This approach allows for accurate and rigid internal fixation with steel plate and early functional exercise, resulting in a reasonable outcome.

Treatment of ulnar coronoid process fracture via a modified anteromedial approach / 中国修复重建外科杂志

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.

Surgical treatment for the fractures and dislocations of the elbow in old patients / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To introduce and report the preliminary results of 7 old patients with fractures and dislocations of the elbow.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From July 2011 to August 2015, 7 old patients suffered from fractures and dislocations of the elbow(5 of which were terrible triad). One patient had type Iradial head fracture, 3 type IIand 1 type III according to the Mason classification, and 1 type I, 5 type IIand 1 type III according to the Regan-Morrey classification. All the 7 patients received operation and then were treated with external fixation. Fractures of the radial head were fixed with Herbert screws or locking plates and screws. Fractures of ulnar coronoid were reduced and fixed with lag screws or K-wires or PDS sutures or locking screws according to the types. The lateral and medial collateral ligaments were also repaired. Plaster external fixation was applied for 3 weeks after operation, in the position with elbow flexion in 90 degrees and forearm rotation in neutral. External fixation braces were used for each patient after the plasters were removed, and at the same time rehabilitation programs were carried out.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the 7 patients were followed up, and the during ranged from 13 to 48 months(averaged, 20 months), with healed fractures, stable elbow and no pain movement. The functional outcome was excellent in 3 patients, good in 3 and fair in 1 according to the Mayo Elbow Performance Score(MEPS).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It is not easy to get stable fixation for fractures and dislocations of the elbow in old patients with osteoporosis and low density of bone, but the operation can achieve satisfied clinical outcomes after external fixation.</p>

Surgical treatment for terrible triad of the elbow through medial and lateral approach / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical effects of medial and lateral approach in treating terrible triad of the elbow.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From May 2010 from May 2014, 11 patients with terrible triad of the elbow were treated through medial and lateral approach. There were 6 males and 5 females, aged from 25 to 56 years with an average of 35.2 years old. The time from injury to operation was from 1 to 13 days with an average of 5.9 days. Fracture of radial head according to Mason typing, 2 cases were type I, 7 cases were type II, 2 cases were type III. Ulnar coronoid fracture according to Regan-Morrey typing, 3 cases were type I, 7 cases were type II, 1 case was type III. Postoperative complications were observed and Mayo elbow performance score(MEPS) was used to assess the elbow joint function.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were followed up from 6 to 24 months with an average of 15.5 months. All fractures obtained healing with an average time of 14 weeks (ranged from 10 to 18 weeks). According to Mayo to assess the results, total score was 78.2±11.7, 2 cases got excellent results, 7 good, 1 fair, 1 poor. At final follow up, the mean range of motion was (108±21)° in flexion, (12±8)° in extension, (66±13)° in pronation, (28±18)° in supination. The varus angle of the elbow ranged from 5°to 8° in 3 cases and the valgus angle was 8° in 1 case.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Treatment of the terrible triad of the elbow through medial and lateral approach can obtain satisfactory clinical effects, restore the elbow stability, allow early motion postoperatively, and promote the joint functional rehabilitation.</p>

Posterior dislocation of the elbow with radial head and ulnar coronoid fractures(terrible triad):a report of 5 cases / 中国矫形外科杂志

[Objective]To introduce the new concept of "terrible triad of the elbow",and report the preliminary results of 5 clinical cases.[Method]From April 2004 to March 2007,five cases met the diagnosis of terrible triad,with posterior dislocation of elbow complicated with radial head and ulnar coronoid fractures.The radial head fractures were 4 in type Ⅱ and I in type Ⅲ according to Mason classification,and Ⅰ in type Ⅰ,Ⅲ in type Ⅱ and 1 in type Ⅲ according to Schatzker classification.The ulnar coronoid fractures were Ⅰ in type Ⅰ,Ⅳ in type Ⅱ according to Regan-Morrey classification,and all 5 in type Ⅰ according to O'Driscoll classification.Four patients underwent surgical operations.The fractured radial head and ulnar coronoid were reduced and fixed with 3mm titanic lag screws or K wires,the lateral and medial collateral ligaments were repaired with Krachow sutures.A plaster of Paris was applied for 3 weeks after operation,in position with elbow flexion in 90 degrees and forearm rotation in neutral.Then physical exercise and rehabilitation program were carried out.[Result]Four operated patients were followed up for 3 months to 3 years,with healed fractures,stable elbow and no pain movement.The average range of elbow flexion-extension were 120 degrees,and forearm pronationsupination were 110 degrees,respectively.The functional outcome in 3 cases that followed up more than Ⅰ year was excellent in 2 and good in Ⅰ according to Mayo Elbow Performance Score(MEPS).The result of the un-operated case was poor in MEPS evaluation.Elbow instability and pain was the main complaint.[Conclusion]Terrible triad of posterior dislocation with radial head and ulnar coronoid fractures is a severe trauma to the elbow.Operative osteosythesis and ligament repair is mandatory for concentric reduction and elbow stability.