G Chick1, C Court, J Y Nordin. 1. Service de Chirurgie Orthopédique et Traumatologique, Hôpital Bicêtre, 78, rue du Général-Leclerc, 94275 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre Cedex, France.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Complex lesions of the proximal end of the radius and ulna are uncommon and generally associate a fracture of the proximal ulna and a dislocation of the radial head, which also may be fractured. We assessed the effect of the type of fracture and treatment on functional outcome and complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-eight adults (25 men and 13 women) were treated for complex fractures of the proximal end of the radius and ulna. For 25 of them, mean follow-up was 2.4 years. For the ulna, there was an epiphyseal fracture in 10 cases, a metaphyseal-epiphyseal fracture in 16 and a diaphyseal fracture in 12. The coronoid process was fractured in 20 cases and the proximal radius in 19. There was an anterior displacement in 24 cases. There were 9 open fractures and 13 patients had another injury of the upper limb. Functional outcome was assessed with a 100 point scale using subjective (pain) and objective (active motion, muscle force, stability) criteria. RESULTS: For the 25 fractures with more than 1 year follow-up, outcome was very good in 8, good in 6, fair in 8 and poor in 3. The pain and muscle force scores followed a similar pattern. Motion appeared as the determining factor for good outcome. Seven early revisions (2 for deep infections, 2 for disassembly of the fixation system, 3 for insufficient fixation) were required among the 38 patients. Among the late complications, there were 3 nonunions, 5 misalignments, and 4 proximal radio-ulnar synostoses. Six elbows required revision to restore motion. DISCUSSION: Certain characteristics of the fractures were predictive of poor outcome: skin opening, association with a lesion of the homolateral upper limb, mirror lesion of the lateral condyle, metaphyseal-epiphyseal fractures, communitive fractures, presence of a fracture of the radial head or the coronoid process. CONCLUSION: Complex proximal fractures of both bones of the forearm threaten the functional prognosis of the upper limb due to the risk of stiffness. Successful treatment depends on three factors: stable anatomic reconstruction of the ulnar articulation, and reconstruction of the lateral column and the coronoid process, necessary for a stable elbow. In addition, early mobilization, possible with a stable osteosynthesis, is indispensable for recovering useful joint movement.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Complex lesions of the proximal end of the radius and ulna are uncommon and generally associate a fracture of the proximal ulna and a dislocation of the radial head, which also may be fractured. We assessed the effect of the type of fracture and treatment on functional outcome and complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-eight adults (25 men and 13 women) were treated for complex fractures of the proximal end of the radius and ulna. For 25 of them, mean follow-up was 2.4 years. For the ulna, there was an epiphyseal fracture in 10 cases, a metaphyseal-epiphyseal fracture in 16 and a diaphyseal fracture in 12. The coronoid process was fractured in 20 cases and the proximal radius in 19. There was an anterior displacement in 24 cases. There were 9 open fractures and 13 patients had another injury of the upper limb. Functional outcome was assessed with a 100 point scale using subjective (pain) and objective (active motion, muscle force, stability) criteria. RESULTS: For the 25 fractures with more than 1 year follow-up, outcome was very good in 8, good in 6, fair in 8 and poor in 3. The pain and muscle force scores followed a similar pattern. Motion appeared as the determining factor for good outcome. Seven early revisions (2 for deep infections, 2 for disassembly of the fixation system, 3 for insufficient fixation) were required among the 38 patients. Among the late complications, there were 3 nonunions, 5 misalignments, and 4 proximal radio-ulnar synostoses. Six elbows required revision to restore motion. DISCUSSION: Certain characteristics of the fractures were predictive of poor outcome: skin opening, association with a lesion of the homolateral upper limb, mirror lesion of the lateral condyle, metaphyseal-epiphyseal fractures, communitive fractures, presence of a fracture of the radial head or the coronoid process. CONCLUSION: Complex proximal fractures of both bones of the forearm threaten the functional prognosis of the upper limb due to the risk of stiffness. Successful treatment depends on three factors: stable anatomic reconstruction of the ulnar articulation, and reconstruction of the lateral column and the coronoid process, necessary for a stable elbow. In addition, early mobilization, possible with a stable osteosynthesis, is indispensable for recovering useful joint movement.