RESUMO
Fractures of the lateral condyle and olecranon are two of the most common elbow injuries in the pediatric age group. However, their simultaneous occurrence is rare. Proper understanding and management of these injuries are essential to prevent long-term complications. This case report presents a patient who suffered both fractures, with surgical intervention for the condyle and non-surgical management for the olecranon. A two-year-old female child was brought to the emergency department following a fall from monkey bars, landing on her outstretched left arm. Clinical examination showed a markedly swollen and tender elbow with a restricted range of motion. No neurovascular deficit was noted. Plain radiographs revealed a displaced fracture of the lateral condyle and an associated non-displaced olecranon fracture. Given the displacement of the lateral condyle fracture, surgical intervention was deemed necessary. The patient underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of the lateral condyle using Kirschner wires. The olecranon fracture, being non-displaced, was managed conservatively with a posterior splint. The patient's postoperative recovery was uneventful. The Kirschner wires were removed at six weeks of follow-up, and active mobilization was started. The patient achieved full range of motion at three months post-injury. At a one-year follow-up, she had no pain, restriction, or any deformity, and radiographs confirmed the complete union of both fractures. Simultaneous fractures of the lateral condyle and olecranon in children are rare. The mechanism of injury is complex and warrants a high index of suspicion for associated injuries. Surgical fixation of the lateral condyle and conservative management of the olecranon fracture can yield excellent outcomes.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic debridement for osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions of the capitellum is a relatively common and straightforward surgical option for failure of nonoperative management. However, the long-term outcomes of this procedure remain unknown. HYPOTHESIS: Arthroscopic debridement of capitellar OCD would provide satisfactory long-term improvement in patient-reported outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Patients aged ≤18 years who underwent arthroscopic debridement procedures for OCD lesions (International Cartilage Repair Society grades 3 and 4) were identified. Procedures included loose body removal when needed and direct debridement of the lesion; marrow stimulation with drilling or microfracture was added at the discretion of each surgeon. The cohort consisted of 53 elbows. Patient evaluation included visual analog scale for pain; motion; subjective satisfaction; Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) scores; reoperation; and rate of return to sports. RESULTS: At a mean 11 years of follow-up (range, 5-23 years), the median visual analog scale score for pain was 0, and 96% of patients reported being improved as compared with how they were before surgery. The mean ± SD QuickDASH score was 4 ± 9 points (range, 0-52 points), and 80% of patients returned to their sports of interest. The arc of motion significantly improved from 115°± 28° preoperatively to 130°± 17° at latest follow-up (P = .026). Seven elbows (13%) required revision surgery for OCD lesions, resulting in high rates of overall survivorship free of revision surgery: 90% (95% CI, 80%-96%) at 5 years and 88% (95% CI, 76%-94%) at 10 years. At final follow-up, 7 all-cause reoperations were performed without revision surgery on the OCD lesion. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic debridement of grade 3 or 4 OCD lesions of the capitellum produced satisfactory patient-reported outcomes in a majority of elbows, although a subset of patients experienced residual symptoms. The inherent selection bias of our cohort should be considered when applying these results to the overall population with OCD lesions, as we do not recommend this procedure for all patients.
