Objective To investigate the blood supply of the ulnar nerve in the elbow region and to design the procedure of anterior transposition of ulnar nerve accompanied with arteries for cubital tunnel syndrome.Methods The vascularity of the ulnar nerve was observed and measured in20adult cadaver upper limb specimens. And the clinical surgical procedure was imitated in 3 adult cadaver upper limb specimens. Results There were three major arteries to supply the ulnar nerve at the elbow region: the superior ulnar collateral artery, the inferior ulnar collateral artery and the posterior ulnar recurrent artery. The distances from arterial origin to the medial epicondyle were 14.2±0.9, 4.2±0.6 and 4.8±1.1 cm respectively. And the total length of the vessels travelling alone with the ulnar nerve were 15.0±1.3,5.1±0.3 and 5.6±0.9 cm. The external diameter of the arteries at the beginning spot were 1.5±0.5, 1.2±0.3 and 1.4±0.5 mm respectively. The perpendicular distance of the three arteries were 1.2±0.5,2.7±0.9 and 1.3±0.5 cm respectively.Conclusion It is feasible to perform anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve accompanied with arteries for cubital tunnel syndrome. And the procedure preserves the blood supply of the ulnar nerve following transposition.
wenty-one cases with injurys of upper trunk of brachial plexus in 18 and poliomyelitis in 3were treated by transfer of flexor carpi ulnaris muscle to restore flexion of elbow from may, 1981through November, 1992. There were 16 males and 5 females with an average age of 28 years old(ranged 17-60 years). All of the patients was combined with incompetence of abduction function ofshoulder, 6 cases with incompotence of extenxor function of elbow and 11 cases with incompotence ofsupifiation fu...
Objective To explore the effect of arthroscopy in diagnosis and treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of elbow joint in adolescent. Methods From May 2003 to February 2006, 11 patients with osteochondritis dissecans of elbowjoint were diagnosed and treated with arthroscopy. There were 6 males and 5 females, aging from 13 to 19 years. The left joints were involved in 4 cases and right joints in 7 cases. Seven patients had obvious history of injury. The interval of injury and operation was from 7 months to 12 years. The score of VAS was 80±10, the range of flexion and extend of joint 80±10°, the range of rotation of joint 100±5° preoperatively. The brachial plexus anesthesia, the elbow hung to traction, soft spot, interna and extrapathway were given to explore and debride elbow joint and remove corpus liberum. Results All patients recovered daily life and work 7 to 12 dayspostoperatively. There were no complications of blood vessel and nerve injuries. Eleven cases were followed up for 6 to 18 months (mean 12-5 months). The results wereexcellent in 7 and good in 4 according to HSS scoring system. At the final followup, the score of VAS was 32±15, showing statistically significant difference when compared with preoperation (Plt;0.05). The range of flexion and extend of joint was 110±10°，the range of rotation of joint was 120±5° postoperatively, showing statistically significant differences when compared with preoperation (Plt;0.05). Conclusion The elbow arthroscopy might be a reliable methodto diagnose and treat osteochondritis dissecans of elbow joint in adolescent with minor trauma，quick recovery，significant improving function and less complications.
Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of periosteal autograft in repair of ankylosis of elbow joint. Methods From May 1985 to November 1999, 18 cases of elbow joints ankylosis (6 cases of osteo-ankylosis, 12 cases of fibroankylosis) were treated by repairing articular surface with periosteal autografting. Out of 18 cases, 13 were caused by old dislocation and fracture of elbow joints, 3 by late rheumatoid arthritis, and 2 by old total joint tuberculosis. In this surgical approach, periosteum from upper end of tibia was transplanted into articular surface after correction of the elbow joint from ankylosis deformity, and continuous passive or active movement of the operated joint was adopted with skeletal traction through olecranon of ulna for 4 weeks after operation. All of the cases were followed up for 1-9 years, 5.2 years on average, before clinical evaluation. Results The elbow joints in 11 cases were restored to normal, the joints in 4 cases obtained active movement in the range of 100°-0°, and thejoints in the other 3 cases could only have limited movement because of severe muscular atrophy. Conclusion The articular surface in arthroplasty of elbow joint ankylosis could be effectively repaired by periosteal autograft, and the function of the joints could be obviously improved by continuous movement of the joints after operation with skeletal traction.
Objective To evaluate the short-term results of reconstruction of stiff elbow under arthroscopy technique in patients with elbow osteoarthritis. Methods Between March 2006 and March 2009, 38 cases of elbow osteoarthritis with contracture were treated under arthroscopy technique. There were 26 males and 12 females with an average age of 47.8 years (range, 26-66 years). Unilateral side was affected in all cases, including 13 cases at the left side and 25 at the right side with 30 patients on the dominant side. The disease duration was more than 6 months. X-ray examination showed that 31 patients had free body, and 28 had osteophytosis. Seven patients had ulnar neuritis. The arthroscopy functional reconstruction was performed including synovectomy, free body removal, and osteocapsular arthroplasty. Results All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-10 months (mean, 8 months). Transient radial nerve injury occurred in 1 case, re-adhesion of elbow joint in 1 case, and heterotopic ossification of brachial ulnar joint in 1 case at 6 months after operation. In 1 patient compl icated by ulnar neuritis, the disorder of ulnar nerve was not improved, nervous symptoms disappeared after the re-operation of ulnar nerve relaxation after 2 months. The range of motion, Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain at 3 and 6 months had significant differences when compared with those before operation (P lt; 0.05), but had no significant difference between two time points after operation (P gt; 0.05). According to MEPS functional criteria, the results were classified as excellent in 20 cases, good in 15 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case at 6 months after operation, and the excellent and good rate was 92.1%. No new free body or osteophytosis occurred after operation by X-ray examination. Conclusion The arthroscopy is an effective technique to reconstruct the function of stiff elbow, which can obviously improve the range of motion and the function of elbow joint, and has good short-term results.
Objective To investigate the method and effectiveness of operative treatment of Dubberley type 3B capitulum-trochlea fractures. Methods Between January 2009 and December 2012, 8 cases of Dubberley type 3B capitulum-trochlea fractures were treated. There were 2 males and 6 females with an average age of 55 years (range, 43-65 years). The injury was caused by falling in 6 cases, electric bicycle accident in 1 case, and traffic accident in 1 case. All fractures were fresh and closed injury. No neural or vascular injury was found. The time between injury and operation was 3-15 days (mean, 5.9days). Olecranon osteotomy was performed by a posterior midline skin incision of the elbow; 3.0 mm Herbert compression screws placed from posterior to anterior, 2.4 mm L shape locking compression plate designed for distal radius or 2.7 mm anatomical locking compression plate designed for distal humerus and 1.0 mm Kirschner wires or 3.0 mm Herbert screw for the transverse and coronal plane in the subchondral of anterior articular surface were used for fixation; and the lateral and medial collateral ligaments were repaired. Results All incisions healed by first intention. The patients were followed up 12-18 months (mean, 14.5 months). The X-ray films showed that fracture healing was achieved at 12-24 weeks (mean, 15 weeks) in 7 cases. Fracture nonunion and partial bone resorption in the capitellum were observed in 1 case. No failure of internal fixation, ulnohumeral joint instability, or traumatic arthritis occurred. At last follow-up, the range of motion of injured elbow was 0-40° in extension (mean 25.0°), 100-135° in flexion (mean, 116.3°), 60-70° in pronation (mean, 61.3°), and 80-90° in supination (mean, 81.3°). The elbow function score was 64-96 (mean, 81.1) according to the Broberg-Morrey evaluation criteria; the results were excellent in 2 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 75%. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 0-3 (mean, 1). Conclusion For Dubberley type 3B capitulum-trochlea fractures, an early anatomic reconstruction of capitellar and trochlea, repair of the medial and lateral collateral ligament, and early active mobilization can obtain good functional results.
Objective To review the basic research and cl inical progress of elbow heterotopic ossification after injury. Methods The recent l iterature concerning heterotopic ossification of the elbow was reviewed. Results Heterotopic ossification was caused by variety of stimul i and conditions. The current methods of prevention and treatment were to improve surgical techniques, to reduce trauma and bleeding, to rinse the area with bone fragments with plenty of salt water, and to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Conclusion Once heterotopic ossification occurred, surgical treatment is unique treatment method, so emphasis is to prevent heterotopic ossification.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of heterotopic ossification of the elbow joint after trauma. MethodsThe recent domestic and foreign literature concerning heterotopic ossification of the elbow joint after trauma was analysed and summarized. ResultsThe mechanism of heterotopic ossification of the elbow joint after trauma is mainly related to bone morphogenetic protein signal transduction disorder. Now there are many treatments of heterotopic ossification, including non-surgical treatment, prevention, and surgical treatment. Non-surgical treatment and prevention mainly aim at patients who have no elbow heterotopic ossification or who have mild limited elbow motion because of elbow heterotopic ossification after trauma, including drug therapy, radiation therapy, Chinese medicine therapy, and rehabilitation treatment. For patients with invalid non-surgical treatment, choosing surgical treatment is a must. Surgical treatment includes surgical resection, arthroscopic resection, and joint replacement, priority should be given first to surgical resection. ConclusionHeterotopic ossification of the elbow joint is common and there is not a recognized standard treatment, comprehensive use of non-surgical treatment and surgical treatment is the future direction.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness and safety of open arthrolysis combined with internal fixator removal for post-traumatic elbow stiffness. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the data of 80 cases treated by open arthrolysis for elbow stiffness between January 2010 and December 2011. The patients were divided into 2 groups:no internal fixation group (group A, n=39) and internal fixation group (group B, n=41) according to whether they underwent internal fixator removal at the same time. No significant difference was found in age, gender, affected side, injury time, elbow rigidity grade, and severity of heterotopic ossification (HO) between 2 groups (P>0.05) except for original injury type (P<0.05). The effectiveness was evaluated by the occurrence of complications including ulnar nerve symptoms, HO recurrence and re-fracture, the elbow range of motion (ROM) and the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS). ResultsThe mean follow-up duration was 15.7 months (range, 12-18 months) in group A and 16.1 months (range, 12-20 months) in group B. Ulnar nerve symptoms in 5 cases (12.8%) and HO reccurrence in 1 case (2.6%) occurred in group A, while ulnar nerve symptoms in 4 cases (9.8%), HO recurrence 1 case (2.4%), and refracture in 1 case (2.4%) occurred in group B. The incidence of each complication showed no significant difference between 2 groups (P>0.05). Both the ROM and the MEPS at last follow-up increased significantly when compared with preoperative ones in 2 groups (P<0.05). Besides, MEPS of group A was significantly higher than that of group B (t=2.36, P=0.02), but no significant difference was found in the ROM between 2 groups at last follow-up (t=0.40, P=0.69). Based on MEPS, the results were excellent in 16 cases, good in 16 cases, fair in 6 cases, and poor in 1 case in group A with an excellent and good rate of 82.1%;the results were excellent in 10 cases, good in 25 cases, fair in 4 cases, and poor in 2 cases in group B with an excellent and good rate of 85.4%. There was no significant difference in excellent and good rate between 2 groups (χ2=0.16, P=0.69). ConclusionOpen elbow arthrolysis combined with internal fixator removal for post-traumatic elbow stiffness is safe and effective. However, measures for prevention of re-fracture should always be taken into consideration.
Objective To summarize the research progress in posteromedial rotatory instability (PMRI) of the elbow joint. Methods The recent researches about the management of PMRI of the elbow joint from the aspects of pathological anatomy, biomechanics, diagnosis, and therapy were analyzed and summarized. Results The most important factors related to PMRI of the elbow joint are lateral collateral ligament complex (LCLC) lesion, posterior bundle of the medial collateral ligament complex (MCLC) lesion, and anteromedial coronoid fracture. Clinical physical examination include varus and valgus stress test of the elbow joint. X-ray examination, computed tomography, particularly three-dimensional reconstruction, are particularly useful to diagnose the fracture. Also MRI, arthroscopy, and dynamic ultrasound can assistantly evaluate the affiliated injury of the parenchyma. It is important to repair and reconstruct LCLC and MCLC and fix coronoid process fracture for recovering stability of the elbow joint. There are such ways to repair ligament injury as in situ repairation and functional reconstruction, which include direct suturation, borehole repairation, wire anchor repairation, and transplantation repairation etc. The methods for fixation of coronal fracture include screw fixation, plate fixation, unabsorbable suture fixation, and arthroscopy technology. Conclusion It is crucial that recovering the stability of the elbow joint and early functional exercise for the treatment of PMRI. Individual treatment is favorable to protect soft tissue, reduce surgical complications, and improve the functional recovery and the quality of life.