OBJECTIVE: To investigate the methods and effectiveness of arthroscopic poking reduction and percutaneous fixation of radial head fractures. METHODS: Between August 2002 and May 2010, 15 patients with radial head fractures were treated using arthroscopic poking reduction and percutaneous fixation with a Kirschner wire. There were 11 males and 4 females with an average age of 29.6 years (range, 17-41 years). The locations were left side in 6 cases and right side in 9 cases. Injuries were caused by falling in 8 cases, by traffic accident in 4 cases, and by sports in 3 cases. The average time from injury to admission was 3.4 days (range, 1-8 days). Of them, 13 patients had Mason type II, and 2 patients had type III fractures. Accompanying injuries were lateral collateral ligament ruptures in 5 patients. RESULTS: The X-ray films confirmed good reduction and fracture healing. Incisions healed by first intention; no complication occurred, such as neurovascular injury, infection, or hardware failure. All patients were followed up 25 months on average (range, 12-32 months). The flexion-extension arc was (139.0 +/- 7.9) degrees at last follow-up, showing no significant difference when compared with the contralateral (141.0 +/- 5.1) degrees (t = 1.146, P = 0.271); the range of pronation and supination was (143.3 +/- 7.0) degrees when compared with the contralateral (146.0 +/- 4.7) degrees (t = -1.948, P = 0.072). The mean Mayo elbow performance score was 92 (range, 80-100); the mean Broberg-Morrey score was 95.2 (range, 85-100); the results were excellent in 12 cases and good in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic poking reduction and percutaneous fixation with a Kirschner wire offers accurate reduction, reliable fixation, minimal trauma, rapid recovery, and lower morbidity for Mason type II and selective Mason type III radial head fractures.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the methods and effectiveness of arthroscopic poking reduction and percutaneous fixation of radial head fractures. METHODS: Between August 2002 and May 2010, 15 patients with radial head fractures were treated using arthroscopic poking reduction and percutaneous fixation with a Kirschner wire. There were 11 males and 4 females with an average age of 29.6 years (range, 17-41 years). The locations were left side in 6 cases and right side in 9 cases. Injuries were caused by falling in 8 cases, by traffic accident in 4 cases, and by sports in 3 cases. The average time from injury to admission was 3.4 days (range, 1-8 days). Of them, 13 patients had Mason type II, and 2 patients had type III fractures. Accompanying injuries were lateral collateral ligament ruptures in 5 patients. RESULTS: The X-ray films confirmed good reduction and fracture healing. Incisions healed by first intention; no complication occurred, such as neurovascular injury, infection, or hardware failure. All patients were followed up 25 months on average (range, 12-32 months). The flexion-extension arc was (139.0 +/- 7.9) degrees at last follow-up, showing no significant difference when compared with the contralateral (141.0 +/- 5.1) degrees (t = 1.146, P = 0.271); the range of pronation and supination was (143.3 +/- 7.0) degrees when compared with the contralateral (146.0 +/- 4.7) degrees (t = -1.948, P = 0.072). The mean Mayo elbow performance score was 92 (range, 80-100); the mean Broberg-Morrey score was 95.2 (range, 85-100); the results were excellent in 12 cases and good in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic poking reduction and percutaneous fixation with a Kirschner wire offers accurate reduction, reliable fixation, minimal trauma, rapid recovery, and lower morbidity for Mason type II and selective Mason type III radial head fractures.
Authors: Roland S Camenzind; Davide Cucchi; Tim Leschinger; Michael Hackl; Lars P Müller; Kilian Wegmann Journal: Arch Orthop Trauma Surg Date: 2022-10-05 Impact factor: 2.928