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.

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.

BACKGROUND:Numerous scholars have previously researched certain greater tuberosity fractures and the procedures used to treat them.Few researchers,however,have studied the comminuted split fracture of the greater tuberosity of the humerus(Liu-Gang type IV)with rotator cuff tear in great detail. OBJECTIVE:To compare the clinical therapeutic effect of open repair position modified calcaneal plate combined with suture anchors and proximal humeral internal locking system(PHILOS)plate in the treatment of comminuted fracture of split-type greater tuberosity of humerus combined with rotator cuff tears(Liu-Gang type IV). METHODS:Case data of 30 patients with comminuted fracture of split-type greater tuberosity of humerus combined with rotator cuff tears(Liu-Gang type IV)from May 2012 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.They were divided into the modified calcaneal plate combined with suture anchor group(group A)and the PHILOS with#2 Johnson group(group B),with 15 cases in each group.Intraoperative blood loss,surgical time,and incision length of all patients were recorded.Pain visual analog scale score,Constant-Murley score,as well as shoulder joint abduction,forward flexion,external rotation,and dorsal expansion activities during the last follow-up(>1 year)were evaluated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The surgical incision length and operation time were shorter,and blood loss was less in group A than those in group B(P<0.05).(2)No significant difference in visual analog scale score and Constant-Murley score was detected between the two groups(P>0.05).(3)During the last follow-up,forward flexion in group A was better than that in group B(P<0.05).No significant difference in abduction,external rotation,and dorsal expansion was determined between group A and group B(P>0.05).(4)In terms of complications,there was 1 case of shoulder joint pain and discomfort in group A(7%),2 cases of subacromial impingement syndrome,2 cases of upward movement of nodules,and 2 cases of shoulder joint pain(40%)in group B.There were significant differences in complication rates between the two groups(P=0.031).(5)In summary,the modified calcaneal plate combined with suture anchors in the treatment of comminuted fracture of split-type greater tuberosity of humerus combined with rotator cuff tears(Liu-Gang type IV)could better restore the forward flexion function of the shoulder joint and has a small incision,less blood loss,shorter operation time and fewer complications.

Objective:To compare the clinical effectiveness between arthroscopic hollow screws combined with a suture anchor, hollow screws and proximal humerus internal locking system (PHILOS) in the treatment of split-type fractures of humeral greater tuberosity.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the 54 patients with split-type fracture of humeral greater tuberosity who had been admitted to Department of Joint Surgery, Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated to Southwest Medical University from May 2015 to August 2020. There were 17 males and 37 females with an age of (58.4±12.1) years. According to different treatment methods, they were divided into 3 groups. Group A of 18 cases was treated with arthroscopic hollow screws combined with a suture anchor, group B of 18 cases with hollow screws, and group C of 18 cases with PHILOS. The length of surgical incision, and range of shoulder motion, visual analogue scale (VAS), and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score at the last follow-up were recorded and compared between the 3 groups.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the preoperative general information between the 3 groups, indicating the 3 groups were comparable ( P>0.05). The surgical incision in group A [(0.7±0.1) cm] was the shortest, followed by (5.0±1.4) cm in group B, and (12.8±2.1) cm in group C, showing statistically significant differences in pairwise comparison ( P<0.05). In the 3 groups at the last follow-up, respectively, the shoulder forward flexion was 159.7°±13.4°, 154.9°±16.2°, and 160.5°±12.9°, and the shoulder abduction 149.6°±11.3°, 142.4°±12.0°, and 145.1°±10.4°, showing no statistically significant difference among the 3 groups ( P>0.05); the external rotation was 41.1°±8.1°, 38.1°±7.8° and 43.7°±6.2°, showing a statistically significant difference between groups B and C ( P<0.05); the dorsal extension was T 12 (L 5 to T 6), T 12 (L 5 to T 7), and T 12 (L 3 to T 6), showing no statistically significant difference among the 3 groups ( P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference among the 3 groups in the VAS score or ASES score at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). Respectively, there were 2, 6, and 4 patients in groups A, B and C who developed complications, showing statistically significant differences between the 3 groups ( P<0.05). Conclusions:In the treatment of split fractures of humeral greater tuberosity, arthroscopic hollow screws combined with a suture anchor, hollow screws and PHILOS can all relieve pain and restore joint function of the shoulder. However, arthroscopic hollow screws combined with a suture anchor are the most recommendable due to their advantages in minimally invasiveness and reduction in complications.