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Two cases of anterior interosseous nerve syndromes following supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children are reported. In both cases spontaneous recovery began at 8 weeks and was complete at 10 weeks. The syndrome is discussed and the literature reviewed.
167 patients with fracture dislocations of the proximal humerus--operated upon between 1970 and 1980--were followed up on an average 43.2 months after the accident. Fractures were classified according to Neer in two-part-(n = 24), three-part-(n = 60) and four-part-fractures (n = 61) as well as fractures of the articular surface (n = 21). 20.4% of all fractures were complicated by a neurological lesion. In 31% of all cases a good or excellent result was obtained. The functional result and the rate of avascular head necrosis were dependent on the type of fracture, that means the number of displaced parts. Results after 23 head prostheses were disappointing. The analysis of functional results and the rate of avascular head necrosis after different types of operation proved that minimal fixation with K-wire or tension-band was slightly superior to plate fixation.
From 1970 to 1980 155 supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children were treated conservatively by the method of Blount and 33 were treated surgically. The indications for operation were flexion-fractures, second- or third-grade compound fractures, vessel or nerve lesions and for easier nursing of polytraumatized patients. Out of 82 fractures treated by collar and cuff 64 (78%) show an ideal, 12 (15%) a good and 6 (7%) a satisfactory result two to ten years after the accident. In 18 cases one could see a defective varus function of more than five degrees.
In a randomized prospective comparative study, we treated 28 patients with a fresh fracture of the proximal humerus alternating with a classical Desault-bandage or with the new Gilchrist-bandage. The two different bandages had no influence on the fracture healing or the functional end results. The Gilchrist-bandage was clearly superior to the Desault-bandage in a subjective and objective appreciation: the patients had less complaints in applying the bandage, had less skin irritations and felt less pain during the whole immobilisation period.
A preliminary report is given on the good results of eleven patients, who had been treated with a locking nail for a fracture of the humerus at three different trauma departments. No non-union, infection or radial palsy has been seen nor was there any neurovascular complication intraoperatively. Four patients had misalignments of up to 15 degrees, whereof three of them had combined varus-recurvation-angulations without functional or cosmetic sequelae. All but one had excellent functional results six months postoperatively. Bone healing could be confirmed three months postoperatively. Only transverse and spiral fractures of the second to fifth sixth had been treated until now, though open fractures up to the second degree can be managed too. Finally, some technical issues are considered, which include a better guiding device, the use of cancellous screws for proximal looking, a more oblique position of one of the proximal screwholes to obtain some kind of interfragmentary compression for appropriate fractures, and the use of a Williams-screwdriver.
The fracture line in children's supracondylar fractures of the humerus always runs through the olecranon fossa and the radial and ulnar metaphyseal columns. As the articular capsule covers the fossa, all these fractures are intracapsular fractures with haemarthrosis. They require an anatomical reduction and a safe stabilisation in order to avoid a varus deformity. The results after conservative or operative treatment of extension type fractures are only fair, and Magerl found, that 47% of the operated cases suffered a varus deformity. We modified a dorsal approach to the elbow joint, which allows us to overlook the whole joint and the fracture site. Then anatomical reduction is easy. For stabilisation we use two K-wires for the radial and another two for the ulnar column. It is no problem to use twice the number of wires compared with other operative procedures, because the whole fracture region is exposed. Thus we get better stability and avoid secondary dislocation. We used the modified dorsal approach in 13 cases during the last two years. We have obtained excellent results, but a follow-up will be necessary in three to five years.
Hundred and twenty-eight supracondylar fractures of the humerus were studied retrospectively after an follow-up time of 4.3 years (1 to 17.8 years). In 87 cases (68%) the operative procedure was the closed reduction and percutaneous crossed-pin fixation for 19 fractures type III (56%). 22 fractures type II (76%) and 46 fractures type I (85%), whereas 41 fractures were treated by open reduction and crossed-pin fixation. The findings were evaluated according to "Flynn's criteria" leading to the following results: "excellent" 77 times (60.2%), "good" 44 times (34.4%) "fair" 3 times (2.3%) and "poor" 4 times (3.1%). Our results show that with approximately 50% of all fractures type III the treatment by closed reduction and percutaneous crossed-pin fixation leads to a very good long-term result. On the other hand, rotated or interponated fractures type I and II require an open reduction and crossed-pin fixation. Independent of the type of fracture, the closed reduction and percutaneous crossed-pin fixation should always be taken into consideration. Exceptions are open fractures and those with multiple fragments.
GOAL OF SURGERY: Closed reduction of acute type III (according to Gartland) supracondylar extension fractures of the distal humerus and unicondylar pin fixation. INDICATIONS: Type III and unstable type II supracondylar fractures. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Swelling of the elbow. Compartment syndrome. PREOPERATIVE WORK UP: Radiographs of both elbows in the anterior-posterior and lateral projections. POSITIONING AND ANAESTHESIA: Supine with arm on arm board. General anaesthesia. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Closed reduction through manipulation under fluoroscopic control. Fixation with 2 Kirschner wires introduced percutaneously through the lateral condyle. Long arm cast for 4 to 5 weeks. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Radiographs on the first postoperative day, 1 week later and at time of cast and pin removal 4 to 5 weeks postoperatively. At that time active mobilisation of the elbow is started. Follow-up for 1 to 2 years is recommended. POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS: Damage of ossific nucleus of physis. Damage to neurovascular structures. Wire migration. Pin tract infection. RESULTS: Out of 82 children (mean age 6.5 years) 73 had a follow-up of more than 6 months. 80.8% had good or excellent results. 15.1% had a decrease of the carrying angle of more than 10 degrees (4.1% more than 20 degrees ). There were 2 pin tract infections and 1 iatrogenic transient ulnar palsy.
The arterial blood supply of the arm is unique, as the collateral circulation is especially good. Because of this anatomic perculiarity it is possible to deal with lack of peripheral pulse without critical ischemia occurring in fractures in the elbow region. We present two children with supracondylar fractures of the humerus with damage to the brachial artery and the different management results. It is necessary to carry out the immediate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in order to prevent late complications. We conclude that Volkmann's ischemic contracture can always be prevented.
AIM: To determine whether in patients with specific types of osteoarthritis of the shoulder not only a fixed but also a functional decentering of the humeral head exist. METHOD: The shoulder joints of 10 healthy volunteers and of 16 patients with osteoarthritis of the shoulder were examined in various arm-positions, using an open MR scanner. After segmentation, 3D reconstruction of the scapula and humerus were performed and the position of the midpoint of the humeral head calculated relative to the center of mass of the glenoid cavity. RESULTS: At 30 degrees of abduction, 4 of 16 patients demonstrated a fixed posterior (12.9 +/- 2.8 mm) position and 8 (all patients with cuff-arthropathy) a fixed superior (6.6 +/- 2.6 mm) position of the humeral head. At 90 degrees of abduction the patients showed a significant (p < 0.001) combined decentering in the superior and posterior direction as compared to the healthy shoulders (functional decentering). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates, that in most of the patients with osteoarthritis of the shoulder, a significant functional decentering occurred during abduction and external rotation, even if they showed no fixed decentering of the humeral head at 30 degrees of abduction.
Low intensity pulsed ultrasound accelerates fracture healing both clinically and experimentally. Based on recently published animal studies, an improvement in regenerative bone maturation after distraction osteogenesis due to low intensity, pulsed ultrasound is also expected. We report on an 18 year-old female patient suffering from an acquired shortening of the right upper arm of 10 cm after humeral osteitis as a baby. The patient was admitted to hospital for corticotomy and distraction osteogenesis at the afflicted humerus. Due to the published experimental results in animals which indicate an improvement in bone regeneration during callotasis with the additional application of low intensity, pulsed ultrasound, we decided to try this procedure. The calculated distraction consolidation index was 21 days/cm, which is below the mean of 30 days/cm reported in the literature for humeral lengthening by distraction osteogenesis. The calculated healing index according to Paley was 0.7 months/cm in our patient. Compared to reference data, in which a range of from 0.87 months/cm to 1.5 months/cm is reported, our patient showed an accelerated maturation of distraction callus. The duration of treatment of the patient was clearly shortened by the additional application of low intensity, pulsed ultrasound. If distraction osteogenesis is correctly indicated, the early use of low intensity, pulsed ultrasound should be considered, since an acceleration of callus formation with consecutive shortening of treatment time could be attained while wearing an external fixator, leading to a decrease in cumulative complications, such as pin tract infections. Further studies from our research group regarding this topic will follow.
In the presented prospective study 35 consecutive patients with displaced 3- and 4-part fractures of the proximal humerus, including fracture dislocations, were treated with a fixator plate comprising angular stability between May 2001 and December 2002. After 18.5 (8-29) months 31 (89%) fractures were available for follow-up. Good and very good results were obtained in 64%. A poor result was documented in 23%. 64% of the patients had no or mild pain, 71% were able to abduct the arm over 90 degrees . Fracture classification according to Neer and AO had no influence on the outcome, with a mean Constant Score of 76 points. Partial avascular necrosis (AVN) of the humeral head was seen in 16% of all cases representing 4% of the fractures without dislocation and 80% of the fracture dislocations. Fracture dislocation (p=0.02) and AVN (p=0.005) had a negative effect on the Constant Score, with AVN being a predictor for a high level of pain (p=0.04). Secondary dislocation of the greater tuberosity was seen in two patients, loosening of screws in one patient and a fracture below the plate in another one. Secondary dislocation or loss of reduction of the head was not recorded. Angle stable plate fixation with tension band wiring of the tuberosities is an effective and safe option to treat this difficult fractures, also in elderly patients with osteoporotic bone. Because 40% of the 4-part fractures with fracture dislocation yielded a satisfactory or better result, the plate fixator with angular stability may be an alternative to prosthetic replacement in selected cases.
After repeated failure of osteosynthesis of a subcapital humerus fracture, the humeral joint got infected. Radical surgery, use of a temporary Palacos-Refobacin spacer, and secondary implantation of an inverse prosthesis achieved painlessness and satisfying functional results.
BACKGROUND: Intra-articular distal humerus fractures are relatively uncommon. Due to osteoporosis in elderly patients, stable fixation still remains a problem despite new implants providing angular stability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The treatment of choice is open reduction and plate fixation requiring an extended approach with olecranon osteotomy often combined with additional postoperative immobilisation in a long arm cast. We describe a technique using closed reduction and percutaneous osteosynthesis with cannulated screws combined with external fixation. Morbidity due to surgical exposure and potential risks are diminished while functional results are comparable to open reduction and internal fixation . In contrast to plasters or casts, the use of an external fixator allows stable and safety protection of the elbow joint, preserving wrist function as well as forearm rotation and increasing the patient's comfort during immobilisation. RESULTS: We have used this technique on ten patients aged 76.2 years (range 67-88 years). According to the AO classification, there were three B-1/B-2 fractures, four C-1 and three C-2/C-3 fractures without severe comminution. The duration of external fixation was 6.3 weeks (range 4-8 weeks) before fracture union was achieved. This allows the initiation of physiotherapy and motion of the elbow. There was only one revision caused by the necessary replacement of an aseptic loosened Schanz screw. At follow-up 3 months postoperatively, the range of motion of the elbow was 95 degrees (65 degrees-105 degrees ), average extension 25 degrees (10 degrees-35 degrees ) and mean flexion was 115 degrees (100 degrees-120 degrees ) with all patients exhibiting full pro/supination.
UNLABELLED: Pseudoarthrosis and cubitus valgus as main complications following displaced fractures of the radial condyle in children can be prevented by open reduction and fixation by K wires. However, delayed union and stimulation of the radial physis with condylar overgrowth and varisation of the elbow as well as fishtail deformities of the distal end of the humerus are reported nevertheless. To prevent those growth disturbances all primary and secondary (4-day X-ray control) displaced fractures of the radial condyle, i.e. those with a central gap of more than 2 mm, were prospectively treated by open reduction and osteosynthesis with a metaphyseal lag screw beginning 1974. Sixty-six patients (41 boys, 25 girls) with an average follow-up of 10 years (2-22 years) sustained 28 primary and 6 secondary displaced fractures. In 5 cases a K wire fixation was performed in view of the smallness of the fragment. Two children with conservative treatment following overlooked displaced fractures showed condylar overgrowth and varisation of the elbow. Screw osteosynthesis led to symmetric elbow angles and function in all cases, whereas fishtail deformities could be observed in 8 of 27 children, probably as a consequence of the remaining central fracture instability. CONCLUSION: Open reduction and osteosynthesis with a metaphyseal lag screw prevents condylar overgrowth in displaced fractures of the radial condyle by guaranteeing fracture healing in anatomic position within 3-4 weeks. However, fishtail deformity can not be prevented by metaphyseal compression only.
From January 1st 1990 to December 31st 1997, 614 children were treated for supracondylar humerus fracture at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery in the Olga Hospital, Stuttgart. Ten of these children had concomitant vascular complications. The concept of treatment we had chosen was analysed retrospectively. The median patient age of the seven girls and three boys with vascular complications was six years. The vascular injuries were diagnosed after admission to the hospital by palpation of the wrist pulse, clinical appraisal of the vascularity and by registration of the Doppler signal via the arteries of the wrist. The emergency operations carried out initially comprised fragment reposition and fixation with crossed K wires via an access route on the extensor side in all ten children. The subsequent appraisal of the blood flow revealed a pulse restoration (transient vascular occlusion due to dislocation) in two out of the ten children. In eight out of the ten children, the pulse did not return, which is why the vessel had to be explored under emergency conditions. Intraoperatively, we saw a vascular spasm with functional vascular occlusion in one of these eight children. Mechanical vascular occlusion were diagnosed in five of these eight children. In adventitial strangulation (two of these five children), the pulse transmission to the hand occurred immediately after severance of the strangulation connective tissue. In intimal damage (three of these five children), the vascular segment concerned was resected and reconstructed, mostly in the form of an end-to-end-anastomosis with venous patch grafting. We observed a combined vascular occlusion (mechanical-functional occlusion) in two out of these eight children. In the follow-up investigation, the wrist pulses could be palpated in nine children. Nine children had a physiological signal in color duplex sonography, and one child had a pathological monophasic signal over the brachial artery, radial artery as well as the ulnar artery. Late ischemic damage (cold intolerance, claudicatio, Volkmann's contracture) were not detected in any of the children. Appraisal of elbow joint mobility revealed a median extension deficit of 0 degrees (range 0-10 degrees ), a median flexion deficit of 0 degrees (range 0-15 degrees ) and a normal pronation and supination equal on each side. The load-carrying joint axis was normal in a comparison of the sides in all children.
Anatomical reduction and stabilization of displaced supracondylar humeral fractures in children is necessary to obtain good results. For most cases percutaneous crossed pinning is recommended. Sometimes open reduction is necessary but even in these cases neurological complications and varus deformities have been reported. So the technique of open pinning was modified. From 1995 to 1998 22 children were treated by a dorsolateral approach. The fracture was stabilized by crossed pinning: The proximal K-wire is drilled 10 degrees ascending to the dorsal humerus through the medial pillar into the ventral part of the medial epicondyle, after shortening it is not bent. The distal K-wire stabilizes the lateral pillar, after shortening its end is bent down. Immobilization for 3-4 weeks, mobilization is done by the patient. The implants are removed 2 weeks later. The follow up in 21 out of 22 patients (8-57 months, mean 35 months) according to Flynn's criteria showed 16 excellent, 4 good and 1 fair result. The fair result was due to valgus deformity. One patient has been reoperated due to displacement of K-wire. Neither iatrogenic nerve lesions nor varus deformities nor infections did occur. The dorsolateral approach combined with the above mentioned technique of pinning shows excellent and good results.
In this retrospective study of the pediatric trauma group of German trauma society, issued to investigate the state of the art treatment of the supracondylar fracture of the humerus, 13 clinics took part. In this first part of our study we tested the epidemiology and effectivity of therapeutic interventions based on the classification of v. Laer. 886 fractures were included with an average patients age of 5.8 years (+/- 2.9). Causes of trauma was in 45% playing, followed by school/kindergarden and sports injuries. Fractures were initially classified according to v. Laer and showed following displacement: 35.4% Type I, 21.9% Type II, 18.1% Type III and 24.6% Type IV. 10 of the 886 cases (1.1%) were open fractures. Damages to nerves were described in 45 patients (5.1%) and only 7 (0.7%) had primary vessel lesions. 476 patients were treated by reduction of fragments, 72% using a closed technical approach and 28% using an open approach. 6% underwent a second resposition-maneuver, which was mainly observed after crossed Kirschner-wire in type-III-and-IV-fractures. Therapy was changed in 5.1% mostly of the cases were initially closed reduced and then fixed with a collar and cuff sling. 540 patients were seen at follow-up (61%). 81.1% of these patients showed symmetrical axis compared to the uninjured arm. A varus-deformity was noted in 11.7%, a valgus-deformity in 7.2%. Analysis of effectivity showed that the primarily used classification was not sufficient for prediction of the outcome after reposition and retention. Therefore the classification was modified based on 4 groups: Type I undisplaced, Type II displacement in one plane, Type III displacement in two planes and Type IV displacement in three spatial planes. Using this classification we could found that in group II 25% of reduction an 7% of retentions were ineffective. For group III and IV we found that > 20% of the retention proofed to be ineffective.