In-depth discussion on the treatment of terrible triad of the elbow / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis and treatment of the terrible triad of the elbow have achieved a breakthrough. OBJECTIVE: To introduce the definition, basic anatomy, stable structure, injury mechanism and classification of terrible triad of the elbow, and to discuss the treatment plan deeply. METHODS: The first author searched PubMed, CNKI and Wanfang databases for the articles published before September 2019. The keywords were “terrible triad of the elbow, elbow joint, fracture dislocation” in English and Chinese, respectively. A large number of articles concerning the terrible triad of the elbow in recent years were reviewed, and the treatment strategy was summarized. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: For the terrible triad of the elbow, the operator must carefully check the patient before operation, carefully analyze the imaging examination results and three-dimensional printed model, and accurately judge the bone structure of the elbow and degree of ligament injury. During the operation, the stability of the radial head, the fracture of the coronoid process and the injury of the lateral ligament complex are usually reconstructed through a single lateral approach or a combination of internal and external approaches. Then, the stability of elbow joint is tested to determine whether it is necessary to repair the medial ligament complex or use the hinged external fixator to restore the stability of elbow joint. Early active rehabilitation is needed. The above systematic treatment can reduce postoperative complications, accelerate fracture healing, and improve elbow joint function and patients’ quality of life.

Buttress plate fixation of coronoid process fractures via a medial approach / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

PURPOSE@#To assess the clinical and radiographic outcomes of coronoid process fractures surgically managed with buttress plate fixation via a medial approach.@*METHODS@#A retrospective review of all coronoid fractures surgically fixed in our institution using a buttress plate technique via a medial approach between June 2012 and April 2015 by the senior author was performed. These fractures were all sizeable fractures contributing to persistent elbow instability in terrible triad or varus posteromedial rotatory instability injury patterns. A prospective telephone questionnaire was conducted to assess patient outcomes using the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score and Mayo hlbow performance score (MEPS).@*RESULTS@#Twelve patients were included in the study, comprising 10 males and 2 females with an average age of 39 years (range, 19-72 years). Mean follow-up was 16 months (range, 4-18 months). The average time to radiographic union was 4 months (range, 3-7 months). Range of motion measurements at final follow-up were obtained in 11 out of 12 patients, with one patient defaulting follow-up. All 11 patients displayed a functional elbow range of motion of at least 30°-130°, with an average arc of motion of 130° (range, 110° -140°), mean elbow flexion of 134° (range, 110° -140°) and mean flexion contracture of 3° (range, 0° -20°). The mean DASH score was 16 (range, 2.5-43.8) and the mean MEPS was 75 (range, 65-100). Complications observed included one patient with a superficial wound infection which resolved with a course of oral antibiotics and one patient with radiographic evidence of heterotopic ossification which was conservatively managed. No residual elbow instability was observed and no reoperations were performed.@*CONCLUSION@#Buttress plate fixation via a medial approach of coronoid process fractures that contribute to persistent elbow instability represents a reliable method of treatment that produces satisfactory and predictable outcomes.

Inestabilidad postraumática de codo: revisión bibliográfica / Post-traumatic instability of the elbow: review / Instabilidade pós-traumática do cotovelo: revisão bibliográfica

Introducción: Las luxaciones constituyen del 10 % al 25 % de todas las lesiones en el codo. Aproximadamente el 15% de los pacientes que la han sufrido quedan con algún síntoma compatible con inestabilidad. El objetivo de este trabajo es revisar en la literatura los diferentes tratamientos propuestos para esta complicación luego de una luxación simple de codo. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda en bases de datos: Medline (interfase Pub-Med) y Bireme para estudios de los últimos diez años. Se seleccionaron los artículos que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, extrayendo de ellos los datos relevantes y resultados. La búsqueda arrojó un total de 596 artículos de los cuales 10 cumplían con los criterios de inclusión propuestos al iniciar la búsqueda. Discusión: Se analizaron y compararon las tasas de inestabilidad luego de la luxación, los diferentes tipos de tratamiento y las complicaciones. Conclusión: Existe consenso en la literatura analizada de que debe realizarse un examen de estabilidad del codo en agudo para definir el tratamiento. En cuanto al tratamiento en los codos que se presentan inestables la literatura es variable y faltan estudios comparativos para realizar recomendaciones.

Introduction: Dislocations are 10% to 25% of all elbow injuries. Up to 15% of patients with symptoms of instability can be observed. The aim of this study is to review in the literature the different treatments proposed for this complication after a simple elbow dislocation. Materials and Methods: The search was conducted on: Medline (PubMed interface) and Bireme including the last ten years studies. Articles that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected, and the relevant data and results were extracted. We found a total of 596 articles, 10 met the inclusion criteria proposed at the start of the search. Discussion: We analyzed and compared the rates of instability after dislocation, the different types of treatment and complications. Conclusion: There is consensus in the analyzed literature that an elbow stability test should be performed in acute conditions to define the treatment.Comparative studies are lacking for recommending a definite treatment for elbow instability.

Introdução: Dislocaçõessão de 10% a 25% de todas as lesões no cotovelo. Aproximadamente 15% dos pacientes ficam com algum síntoma compatívelcom instabilidade. O objetivo deste trabalho é rever na literatura os diferentes tratamentos propostos para esta complicação a pósuma simples deslocação do cotovelo. Materiais e métodos: Uma pesquisa foi feita em bancos de dados: Medline (interface Pub-Med) e Bireme para estudos dos últimos dez anos. Foram selecionados artigos que atendem a os critérios de inclusão e exclusão, extraindo os dados relevantes e os resultados deles. A busca gerou um total de 596 artigos, dos quais 10 atendem a os critérios de incluso propostos no início da pesquisa. Discussão: Analisamos e comparamos as taxas de instabilidade após deslocamento, os diferentes tipos de tratamento e complicações. Conclusão: Existe consenso na literatura analisada segundo a qualum teste de estabilidade do cotobelo deve ser realizado em agudos para definir o tratamento. Sobre o tratamento os cotovelo sin stáveis a literatura é diversa e faltam estudos comparativos para realizar recomendações.

Management of post-traumatic elbow instability after failed radial head excision: A case report / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Radial head excision has always been a safe commonly used surgical procedure with a satisfactory clinical outcome for isolated comminuted radial head fractures. However, diagnosis of elbow instability is still very challenging and often underestimated in routine orthopaedic evaluation. We present the case of a 21-years old female treated with excision after radial head fracture, resulting in elbow instability. The patient underwent revision surgery after four weeks. We believe that ligament reconstruction without radial head substitution is a safe alternative choice for Mason III radial head fractures accompanied by complex ligament lesions.

Inestabilidad posterolateral cronica de codo. reconstruccion ligamentaria / Chronic posterolateral elbow instability. ligament reconstruction

Introducción: El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar los resultados de una serie de pacientes con inestabilidad posterolateral crónica de codo, tratados con reconstrucción del ligamento colateral cubital con injerto tendinoso. Materiales y Métodos: Se presentan 10 pacientes, con una edad promedio de 47 años. El tiempo entre la luxación y la cirugía fue de 16 meses. El pivot shift test bajo anestesia fue positivo en todos los casos. Bajo control radioscópico, siete pacientes tenían un estadio 1 de Horii; dos, estadio 3 y uno tenía un estadio 2. En la mayoría de los casos, se utilizó el tendón del palmar menor. El seguimiento promedio fue de 21 meses. Resultados: La flexo-extensión fue de 126-3º. El dolor fue 0 en reposo y 1 en actividad, según la escala analógica visual. El puntaje DASH promedio fue 12 y el de la Clínica Mayo de 95. Ningún paciente reportó sensación de inestabilidad. El pivot shift test con el paciente despierto fue negativo en todos los casos. Conclusiones: La reconstrucción del ligamento lateral del codo con injerto tendinoso en pacientes con inestabilidad posterolateral crónica es eficaz para lograr la estabilidad articular. Los mejores resultados se observaron en pacientes con estadios 1 y 2 de inestabilidad. No hubo casos de inestabilidad residual.

Introduction: The objective of this paper is to evaluate the results of a series of patients with posterolateral elbow instability treated with reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament using tendon graft. Methods: We reported 10 patients with a mean age of 47 years. Time from posterolateral dislocation to surgery was 16 months. The pivot shift test under anesthesia was positive in all patients. Seven patients had stage 1 instability according to Horii, one patient with stage 2 and two patients with stage 3 under fluoroscopy. Palmaris minor was the most common tendon used for reconstruction. Follow-up was 21 months. Results: Flexo-extension was 126-3º. Pain according to visual analogue scale was 0 at rest and 1 in activity. DASH score was 12 and Mayo Clinic score was 95. Sensation of instability was not reported by any patient. The pivot shift test in an awake patient was always negative. Conclusions: Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction with tendon graft in patients with posterolateral elbow instability is useful to restore joint stability. Best results were observed in patients with stage 1 or 2 instability according to Horii. Residual instability was not observed.