ABSTRACT
AIM: Describe the technique of the elbow arthroscopy and discuss their indications through a series of 12 cases and a review of the literature. METHODS: We report a retrospective study of a short series of 12 cases of elbow arthroscopy performed on 4 years. The indications of this technique were loose bodies in 7 cases, parcellar displaced fracture of radial head in 3 cases, fracture of coronoid process in one case and osseous impingement in one case. RESULTS: We have noted no complications and at a mean follow up of 18 months (6 to 40 months) our results were almost satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Elbow arthroscopy is an effective but delicate technique. Its indications are not frequent. They are dominated by loose bodies.
Subject(s)
Arthroscopy/methods , Elbow Joint/surgery , Elbow/surgery , Joint Instability/surgery , Joint Loose Bodies/surgery , Radius Fractures/surgery , Adult , Follow-Up Studies , Fracture Fixation, Internal , Humans , Joint Instability/diagnosis , Joint Loose Bodies/diagnosis , Male , Middle Aged , Radius Fractures/diagnosis , Range of Motion, Articular , Retrospective Studies , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Unicondylar femoral fractures are rare. They form a particular entity of the femoral lower extremity fractures. THE PURPOSE of this work was to evaluate the anatomical and functional results of unicondylar femoral fractures on pain, mobility, walking and stability of the knee. METHODS: We reviewed, retrospectively, 28 patients presenting unicondylar femoral fracture. There were 19 men and 9 women, with average age of 54 years (22 - 87 years), victims essentially of domestic accident. The fracture was alone in 65 % of cases. According to Nordin's classification, the fracture was of type I in 3% of cases, type II in 35 % of cases, type III in 20 % of cases and type IV in 42 % of cases. Twenty five patients had a surgical treatment after a median period of 7 days post-accident, 3 patients were treated orthopedically. RESULTS: After 3 years follow up, results were noted according to MEGY's score which takes into account walking, mobility, pain and the stability. Clinically, we noted 26 good and very good results and 2 moderate results. Anatomically, we obtained 75 % of satisfactory reductions. CONCLUSION: Unicondylar femoral fractures remain rare. It is important to recognize them and to make the exact diagnosis of their type. Surgical treatment exposes old subjects to risk of dismantling anatomical osteosynthesis because of osteoporoses.