Proximal ulna osteotomy combined with autologous iliac crest bone graft to repair the coronal process defect for chronic varus posteromedial rotational instability
10.3760/cma.j.cn121113-20250122-00068
- VernacularTitle:尺骨近端截骨联合自体髂骨植骨修复冠突骨缺损致陈旧性肘关节内翻后内旋不稳
- Author:
Hang CHEN
1
;
Dingsu BAO
;
Huihui WANG
;
Xiaochuan HU
;
Jinsong YANG
Author Information
1. 西南医科大学中西医结合学院，泸州 646000
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Ulna;
Osteotomy;
Ilium;
Elbow joint;
Rotation;
Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction
- From:
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics
2025;45(13):832-839
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of proximal ulnar osteotomy combined with autologous iliac bone grafting for the repair of chronic elbow varus with posteromedial rotational instability caused by coronoid process bone defects.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 9 male patients with chronic elbow varus and posteromedial rotational instability caused by coronoid process bone defects who were treated with proximal ulnar osteotomy combined with autologous iliac bone grafting at Sichuan Provincial Orthopaedic Hospital from January 2017 to May 2024. The patients' ages ranged from 20 to 46 years, with an average of 29.78±8.77 years old. There were 3 cases on the right side and 6 on the left side. The height of the bone defect on the anteromedial surface of the coronoid process ranged from 5.24 to 12.23 mm, with an average of 9.01±2.61 mm. The time from injury to surgery ranged from 5 to 9 months, with an average of 6.78±1.39 months. During the operation, proximal ulnar osteotomy combined with autologous iliac bone grafting was used to repair the coronoid process bone defect. Simultaneously, the lateral ulnar collateral ligament was reconstructed using the suture anchors (3 patients) or repaired with autologous palmaris longus tendon (6 patients). Finally, a hinged external fixator was applied in all cases. The range of motion (ROM) of the elbow joint was recorded before and after the surgery. The visual analogue score (VAS) was used to evaluate the degree of pain, and the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) was employed to assess the elbow joint function.Results:All surgical incisions healed primarily, and no case of infection occurred. All 9 patients were followed up, with a follow-up period ranging from 11 to 25 months, and an average of 17.78 ± 5.16 months. The bone grafts all healed, with a healing time ranging from 3 to 5 months, and an average of 3.56±0.73 months. The elbow extension angles before surgery, at 6 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up were 24.44°±14.24°, 11.11°±9.28°, and 2.22°±4.41°, respectively. The flexion angles were 118.89°±5.46°, 123.33°±5.00°, and 128.89°±3.33°, respectively. The flexion-extension ROMs were 94.44°±18.28°, 112.22°±13.02°, and 126.67°±7.07°, respectively. The pronation angles were 61.67°±6.12°, 61.67°±3.54°, and 67.22°±5.07°, respectively. The differences in these angles were all statistically significant ( P<0.05). The supination angles before surgery, at 6 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up were 77.22°±7.55°, 78.89°±6.01°, and 79.44°±6.35°, respectively. The rotational ROMs were 138.89°±11.93°, 140.56°±7.26°, and 146.67°±10.31°, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed ( P>0.05). The VAS scores before surgery, at 6 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up were 6.89±0.78 points, 2.33±1.00 points, and 0(0, 0.5) points, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( H=23.216, P<0.001). The MEPS scores were 42.22±5.65 points, 76.67±7.05 points, and 95.00±7.50 points, respectively, and the difference was also statistically significant ( F=134.212, P<0.001). The cantilever test confirmed that none of the patients had elbow joint instability symptoms, and the patients were satisfied with the treatment effect. Conclusions:Proximal ulnar osteotomy combined with autologous iliac bone grafting, simultaneous repair or reconstruction of the lateral ligament complex, and fixation with a hinged external fixator is an effective treatment approach for chronic elbow varus with posteromedial rotational instability. This method can alleviate elbow pain, improve the ROM, and enhance elbow function in patients, yielding satisfactory short-term outcomes.
