Antonio M Foruria1, Begoña Gutiérrez2, Jesús Cobos3, David L Haeni3, Maria Valencia3, Emilio Calvo3. 1. Shoulder and Elbow Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Orthopedic Surgery and Trauma Department, Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: Antonio.foruria@gmail.com. 2. Muscle-Skeletal Radiology Unit, Radiology Department, Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. 3. Shoulder and Elbow Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Orthopedic Surgery and Trauma Department, Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS: Conservative treatment of isolated coronoid fractures and fracture-dislocations focused on soft-tissue healing can provide good clinical results in the majority of patients. Our aims were (1) to evaluate the outcome of a conservative treatment protocol designed for isolated coronoid fractures with or without associated elbow dislocations (ICFs) and (2) to characterize the fractures with a dedicated image analysis protocol. METHODS: Of 38 consecutive patients sustaining acute ICFs, 28 were treated nonsurgically after meeting specific inclusion criteria, prospectively followed up, and clinically evaluated at least 1 year after sustaining their injuries. All cases underwent elbow computed tomography scans with tri-plane and 3-dimensional reconstructions according to a specific protocol referenced to the proximal ulna. RESULTS: The study included 15 male and 13 female patients, with a mean follow-up period of 32 ± 14 months (range, 12-61 months). An associated dislocation was presented in 8 (29%). Mean extension and flexion were 2° ± 8° (range, -10° to 30°) and 139° ± 11° (range, 110°-155°), respectively. Mean pronation and supination were 74° ± 3° (range, 60°-75°) and 83° ± 9° (range, 40°-85°), respectively. Of the patients, 78% rated their elbow as being normal or nearly normal. The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 95 ± 9 (range, 70-100). The mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was 7 ± 13 (range, 0-57). The mean coronoid fracture height was 5.7 ± 1.2 mm (range, 3.7-7.9 mm). The mean percentage of coronoid height fractured was 33% ± 6% (range, 23%-43%). Mean fracture displacement was 2.7 ± 2 mm (range, 1-9 mm). Of the fractures, 23 (82%) were located at the anteromedial coronoid. CONCLUSION: An ICF with a perfectly reduced ulnohumeral joint, a competent sublime tubercle, and a fractured coronoid height up to 50% can be treated without surgery with excellent or good results in more than 90% of cases regardless of the location of the fracture in the coronoid or the type of soft tissue-associated disruptions.
HYPOTHESIS: Conservative treatment of isolated coronoidfractures and fracture-dislocations focused on soft-tissue healing can provide good clinical results in the majority of patients. Our aims were (1) to evaluate the outcome of a conservative treatment protocol designed for isolated coronoidfractures with or without associated elbow dislocations (ICFs) and (2) to characterize the fractures with a dedicated image analysis protocol. METHODS: Of 38 consecutive patients sustaining acute ICFs, 28 were treated nonsurgically after meeting specific inclusion criteria, prospectively followed up, and clinically evaluated at least 1 year after sustaining their injuries. All cases underwent elbow computed tomography scans with tri-plane and 3-dimensional reconstructions according to a specific protocol referenced to the proximal ulna. RESULTS: The study included 15 male and 13 female patients, with a mean follow-up period of 32 ± 14 months (range, 12-61 months). An associated dislocation was presented in 8 (29%). Mean extension and flexion were 2° ± 8° (range, -10° to 30°) and 139° ± 11° (range, 110°-155°), respectively. Mean pronation and supination were 74° ± 3° (range, 60°-75°) and 83° ± 9° (range, 40°-85°), respectively. Of the patients, 78% rated their elbow as being normal or nearly normal. The mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 95 ± 9 (range, 70-100). The mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was 7 ± 13 (range, 0-57). The mean coronoidfracture height was 5.7 ± 1.2 mm (range, 3.7-7.9 mm). The mean percentage of coronoid height fractured was 33% ± 6% (range, 23%-43%). Mean fracture displacement was 2.7 ± 2 mm (range, 1-9 mm). Of the fractures, 23 (82%) were located at the anteromedial coronoid. CONCLUSION: An ICF with a perfectly reduced ulnohumeral joint, a competent sublime tubercle, and a fractured coronoid height up to 50% can be treated without surgery with excellent or good results in more than 90% of cases regardless of the location of the fracture in the coronoid or the type of soft tissue-associated disruptions.