Can read freely here
https://sethiortho.blogspot.com/
Challenges and Solutions in
Management of Distal Humerus Fractures
Epidemiology
Anatomy
Classification
Controversies and Recent studies
Approach
Implants selection
Plate configuration
Ulnar nerve transposition
Role of total elbow arthroplasty in DHF
Role of hemiarthroplasty in DHF
Metaphyseal comminution –
Anatomic complexity of the distal humerus
Positioning of the plates
TBW –
Skin closure
Osteoporotic nature of the bone –
Less BMD/Thin metaphysis
Screw Pullout strength is low
DHF account for 2% of all adult fractures
The common pattern of fracture
Intraarticular and involves both columns
Bimodal distribution
Peak incidence in young male and in older female patients
Young male – High-velocity injury
Older female - Osteoporosis
The distal humerus is flattened and expanded bony structure
It is composed of lateral and medial columns with the trochlea situated between these columns.
The location of the trochlea is central rather than medial
Formed by Medial SCR + M/Epicondyle
The distal end has 450 angulation with humeral shaft
M/ Epicondyle gives attachment for MCL & Common Flexor Origin
The MCL originates from the undersurface of the medial epicondyle where it is vulnerable to excessive dissection
Ulnar nerve
Formed by Lateral SCR and L/Epicondyle and Capitulum
Distal end has 200 with humeral shaft
L/ epicondyle gives attachment for LCL & common extensor origin
Its posterior surface is non articular and can be used as a site for a plate fixation
The lateral column curves anteriorly
Placement of a straight plate on the posterolateral surface of the humerus risks straightening of distal humerus.
The medial column including the medial epicondyle is in line with the humeral shaft.
It forms the center of the triangle
It has 30 - 80 – external rotation & 250 anterior divergent with the shaft
It forms a 40 - 80 degree valgus direction
X-ray -
Anterior-posterior view
lateral View
Traction View – This can help to define articular fragments and aid in pre-operative classification of the fracture.
NCCT – Elbow
Articular surfaces
Position of the fracture fragments
useful for identifying impacted fracture fragments that make reduction challenging
Olecranon Osteotomy Approach – 52-57%
Triceps sparing VS Olecranon osteotomy approach
The lateral column was often the first to fail as a result of excessive varus forces acting on the elbow during normal activities of daily living. Small anterior-posterior diameter
Smaller diameter of the humerus, permitting only one or two short screws for fixation.
Interruption of blood supply to the lateral column
blood supply to the lateral column is also derived from posterior segmental vessels. Sagittal plane plating has less risk of injuring these structures, which may improve the chances of union
Can read freely here
https://sethiortho.blogspot.com/
Challenges and Solutions in
Management of Distal Humerus Fractures
Epidemiology
Anatomy
Classification
Controversies and Recent studies
Approach
Implants selection
Plate configuration
Ulnar nerve transposition
Role of total elbow arthroplasty in DHF
Role of hemiarthroplasty in DHF
Metaphyseal comminution –
Anatomic complexity of the distal humerus
Positioning of the plates
TBW –
Skin closure
Osteoporotic nature of the bone –
Less BMD/Thin metaphysis
Screw Pullout strength is low
DHF account for 2% of all adult fractures
The common pattern of fracture
Intraarticular and involves both columns
Bimodal distribution
Peak incidence in young male and in older female patients
Young male – High-velocity injury
Older female - Osteoporosis
The distal humerus is flattened and expanded bony structure
It is composed of lateral and medial columns with the trochlea situated between these columns.
The location of the trochlea is central rather than medial
Formed by Medial SCR + M/Epicondyle
The distal end has 450 angulation with humeral shaft
M/ Epicondyle gives attachment for MCL & Common Flexor Origin
The MCL originates from the undersurface of the medial epicondyle where it is vulnerable to excessive dissection
Ulnar nerve
Formed by Lateral SCR and L/Epicondyle and Capitulum
Distal end has 200 with humeral shaft
L/ epicondyle gives attachment for LCL & common extensor origin
Its posterior surface is non articular and can be used as a site for a plate fixation
The lateral column curves anteriorly
Placement of a straight plate on the posterolateral surface of the humerus risks straightening of distal humerus.
The medial column including the medial epicondyle is in line with the humeral shaft.
It forms the center of the triangle
It has 30 - 80 – external rotation & 250 anterior divergent with the shaft
It forms a 40 - 80 degree valgus direction
X-ray -
Anterior-posterior view
lateral View
Traction View – This can help to define articular fragments and aid in pre-operative classification of the fracture.
NCCT – Elbow
Articular surfaces
Position of the fracture fragments
useful for identifying impacted fracture fragments that make reduction challenging
Olecranon Osteotomy Approach – 52-57%
Triceps sparing VS Olecranon osteotomy approach
The lateral column was often the first to fail as a result of excessive varus forces acting on the elbow during normal activities of daily living. Small anterior-posterior diameter
Smaller diameter of the humerus, permitting only one or two short screws for fixation.
Interruption of blood supply to the lateral column
blood supply to the lateral column is also derived from posterior segmental vessels. Sagittal plane plating has less risk of injuring these structures, which may improve the chances of union
Malignant thyroid tumors is not as common as benign swellings of thyroid. However, you have to rule out the possibility of malignancy in all thyroid swellings.
Optic neuritis is a common presentation of MS. Physicians need to be aware of the typical presentation of ON and also be aware of the atypical signs and features that should incite a search for alternative diagnosis.
23. Haraguchi et al. JBJS 2006
Type I- posterolateral
oblique type
Type II- medial
extension type
Type III- small
shell type
67%
19%
14%
PPoosstteerriioorr MMaalllleeoolluuss
FFrraaccttuurree
26. Common NNaammeess ooff FFrraaccttuurree VVaarriiaannttss
• Maisonneuve Fracture
– Fracture of proximal fibula with
syndesmotic disruption
• Volkmann Fracture
– Fracture of tibial attachment of PITFL
– Posterior malleolar fracture type
• Wagstaffe-Le Fort Fracture
– Fracture of fibular attachment of AITFL
• Tillaux-Chaput Fracture
– Fracture of tibial attachment of AITFL
AP defined as long axis of foot in true vertical position.
Tib fib overlap defined by Pettrone in classic article [JBJS 1983]
Tibiofibular clear space defined in the same article. It has subsequently been reevaluated multiple times [Harper Foot Ankle 1993; Park et al JOT 2006…]
Talar tilt originated ??? One early reference is Joy et al JBJS 1974. In this it was defined by measuring the distance between the articular surfaces of the tibia and talus in the medial and lateral parts of the joint as seen on the AP.
The medial clear space has been defined as the distance between the lateral border of the medial malleolus and the medial border of the talus at the level of the talar dome [Joy et al JBJS 1974]. The idea dates back at least to the 1940s [Burns 1943]. It is considered to be representative of the status of the deep deltoid ligament. It varies depending on the position of the radiograph, the stress on the ankle, and the injury to the ankle. Historically a space wider than 4mm was considered to be abnormal. More recently, a medial clear space of greater than or equal to 5mm on radiographs taken in dorsiflexion with an external rotation stress was found to be most predictive of deep deltoid ligament transection after distal fibular fracture [Park et al. JOT 2006].
The talocrural angle is the superomedial angle formed by the intersection of a line joining the tips of both malleoli and of a line perpendicular to the distal tibial articular surface. This originated in 1976 [Sarkisian , Cody, J Trauma].
Note tib fib overlap is measured on both the AP and the mortise view. [Pettrone et al. JBJS 1983]. The number revealing likely instability is different by a factor of ten.
Fibular length can be defined by:
Shenton’s line of the ankle
The dime test
Other measurements [eg bimalleolar angular measurements [Rolfe et al Foot and Ankle 1989]
Comparison radiographs always useful
A medial injury is thought to be required for a syndesmotic injury to alter loading [Boden JBJS 1989]
Plain radiographic reduction parameters may be inadequate for assessing the quality of reduction [when MRI is used as gold standard rather than stress views]. Gardner FAI 2006
Instability should be assessed after osseous injuries have been stabilized.
Note difference in level of syndesmotic screw placement. There is evidence that placing screws closer to the syndesmosis leads to less widening [McBryde FAI 1997]. General recommendation is approximately 2 cm above the tibiotalar joint but not directly into the cartilage of the syndesmosis.