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Fahs A, Waldron J, Afsari A, Best B. Management of Elbow Terrible Triad Injuries: A Comprehensive Review and Update. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2024:00124635-990000000-01066. [PMID: 39151182 DOI: 10.5435/jaaos-d-24-00310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The "terrible triad" of the elbow, encompassing elbow dislocation, radial head fracture, and coronoid process fracture, remains a formidable challenge in orthopaedic practice. Typically, stabilizing structures in the elbow fail from lateral to medial through a posterolateral rotatory force after a fall onto an outstretched upper extremity. Surgery is often needed to repair the lateral ligamentous complex, replace or fix the radial head, possibly repair the anterior capsule or fix the coronoid, and consider medial repair or application of an internal versus external fixator. However, in some challenging cases persistent instability, complications, and loss of function may occur. Rehabilitation focuses on achieving early range of motion to prevent stiffness which can be common after these injuries. By integrating emerging approaches with established practices, this article aims to guide orthopaedic surgeons toward a fundamental understanding of terrible triad injuries and assist with informed management principles of these complex injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Fahs
- From the Ascension St. John Medical Center, Detroit, MI (Fahs, Waldron, Afsari, and Best), Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital, Warren, MI (Fahs, Waldron, Afsari, and Best)
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de Klerk HH, Ring D, Boerboom L, van den Bekerom MP, Doornberg JN. Coronoid fractures and traumatic elbow instability. JSES Int 2023; 7:2587-2593. [PMID: 37969528 PMCID: PMC10638561 DOI: 10.1016/j.jseint.2023.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronoid process is key to concentric elbow alignment. Malalignment can contribute to post-traumatic osteoarthritis. The aim of treatment is to keep the joint aligned while the collateral ligaments and fractures heal. The injury pattern is apparent in the shape and size of the coronoid fracture fragments: (1) coronoid tip fractures associated with terrible triad (TT) injuries; (2) anteromedial facet fractures with posteromedial varus rotational type injuries; and (3) large coronoid base fractures with anterior (trans-) or posterior olecranon fracture dislocations. Each injury pattern is associated with specific ligamentous injuries and fracture characteristics useful in planning treatment. The tip fractures associated with TT injuries are repaired with suture fixation or screw fixation in addition to repair or replacement of the radial head fracture and reattachment of the lateral collateral ligament origin. Anteromedial facet fractures are usually repaired with a medial buttress plate. If the elbow is concentrically located on computed tomography and the patient can avoid varus stress for a month, TT and anteromedial facet injuries can be treated nonoperatively. Base fractures are associated with olecranon fractures and can usually be fixed with screws through the posterior plate or with an additional medial plate. If the surgery makes elbow subluxation or dislocation unlikely, and the fracture fixation is secure, elbow motion and stretching can commence within a week when the patient is comfortable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huub H. de Klerk
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Amsterdam Shoulder and Elbow Center of Expertise (ASECE), OLVG, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - David Ring
- Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care, The University of Texas at Austin, TX, USA
| | - Lex Boerboom
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Michel P.J. van den Bekerom
- Amsterdam Shoulder and Elbow Center of Expertise (ASECE), OLVG, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Job N. Doornberg
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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Heifner JJ, Mercer DM. Improved Understanding of Traumatic Complex Elbow Instability. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev 2023; 7:01979360-202309000-00014. [PMID: 37747701 PMCID: PMC10519515 DOI: 10.5435/jaaosglobal-d-23-00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Recent advancements in surgical treatment have improved clinical results in complex traumatic elbow injury. There is increasing recognition that conservative treatment and inadequate surgical fixation carry high risk of substantial morbidity in many of these cases. Recent literature displays improved outcomes in complex elbow instability, in part, because of a more complete comprehension of the injury patterns and fixation methods. Prompt surgical management with stable internal fixation, which permits immediate postoperative mobilization, has been a consistent variable across the reports leading to more satisfactory outcomes. This applies to both acute and chronic cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- John J. Heifner
- From the Miami Orthopaedic Research Foundation, Miami, FL (Dr. Heifner), and the University of New Mexico Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Albuquerque, NM (Dr. Mercer)
| | - Deana M. Mercer
- From the Miami Orthopaedic Research Foundation, Miami, FL (Dr. Heifner), and the University of New Mexico Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Albuquerque, NM (Dr. Mercer)
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Yang Y, Wang Y, Zheng N, Cheng R, Zou D, Zhao J, Tsai TY. Development and Validation of a Novel In Vitro Joint Testing System for Reproduction of In Vivo Dynamic Muscle Force. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1006. [PMID: 37760108 PMCID: PMC10525521 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10091006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro biomechanical experiments utilizing cadaveric specimens are one of the most effective methods for rehearsing surgical procedures, testing implants, and guiding postoperative rehabilitation. Applying dynamic physiological muscle force to the specimens is a challenge to reconstructing the environment of bionic mechanics in vivo, which is often ignored in the in vitro experiment. The current work aims to establish a hardware platform and numerical computation methods to reproduce dynamic muscle forces that can be applied to mechanical testing on in vitro specimens. Dynamic muscle loading is simulated through numerical computation, and the inputs of the platform will be derived. Then, the accuracy and robustness of the platform will be evaluated through actual muscle loading tests in vitro. The tests were run on three muscles (gastrocnemius lateralis, the rectus femoris, and the semitendinosus) around the knee joint and the results showed that the platform can accurately reproduce the magnitude of muscle strength (errors range from -6.2% to 1.81%) and changing pattern (goodness-of-fit range coefficient ranges from 0.00 to 0.06) of target muscle forces. The robustness of the platform is mainly manifested in that the platform can still accurately reproduce muscle force after changing the hardware combination. Additionally, the standard deviation of repeated test results is very small (standard ranges of hardware combination 1: 0.34 N~2.79 N vs. hardware combination 2: 0.68 N~2.93 N). Thus, the platform can stably and accurately reproduce muscle forces in vitro, and it has great potential to be applied in the future musculoskeletal loading system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Yang
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200230, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.W.); (N.Z.); (R.C.); (D.Z.)
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
- Engineering Research Center for Digital Medicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200230, China
| | - Yufan Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200230, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.W.); (N.Z.); (R.C.); (D.Z.)
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
- Engineering Research Center for Digital Medicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200230, China
| | - Nan Zheng
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200230, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.W.); (N.Z.); (R.C.); (D.Z.)
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
- Engineering Research Center for Digital Medicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200230, China
| | - Rongshan Cheng
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200230, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.W.); (N.Z.); (R.C.); (D.Z.)
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
- Engineering Research Center for Digital Medicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200230, China
| | - Diyang Zou
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200230, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.W.); (N.Z.); (R.C.); (D.Z.)
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
- Engineering Research Center for Digital Medicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200230, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200230, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.W.); (N.Z.); (R.C.); (D.Z.)
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
- Engineering Research Center for Digital Medicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200230, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implants & Clinical Translation R&D Center of 3D Printing Technology, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Tsung-Yuan Tsai
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200230, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.W.); (N.Z.); (R.C.); (D.Z.)
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
- Engineering Research Center for Digital Medicine, Ministry of Education, Shanghai 200230, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implants & Clinical Translation R&D Center of 3D Printing Technology, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
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