Surgical treatment of fractures of the capitellum

ABSTRACT

Five cases with fractures of the capitellum [Hahn-Steinthal type] were collected between 1988 and 1993 and treated in Kasr El -Aini Hospital, Cairo and Derriford Hospital, Plymouth. Four cases were treated with open reduction and internal fixation and in one case fracture was comminuted and beyond fixation and the comminuted fragment was excised. During follow-up period [6-24 months], the four cases treated with open reduction and interion regained a good range of movements of the involved elbow and were found to be free of pain and had a stable elbow. The case treated with exision of the comminuted capitellum fragment regained a good range of movementes but was complining of moderate pain during the first 30 degrees of flexion of the involved elbow and some valgus intability. So open reduction and internal fixation of fractures of the capitellum is a better method of treatment than excision if applicable