Serum uric acid level is associated with the incidence of heterotopic ossification following elbow trauma surgery

Regional distribution prevalence of heterotopic ossification in the elbow joint: a 3D study of patients after surgery for traumatic elbow injury

BACKGROUND

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a common complication after elbow fracture surgery and can lead to severe upper extremity disability. The radiographic localization of postoperative HO has been reported previously. However, there is no literature examining the distribution of postoperative HO at the three-dimensional (3D) level. This study aimed to investigate 1) the distribution characteristics of postoperative HO and 2) the possible risk factors affecting the severity of postoperative HO at a 3D level.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted of patients who presented to our institution with HO secondary to elbow fracture between 13 January 2020 and 16 February 2023. Computed tomography scans of 56 elbows before elbow release surgery were reconstructed in 3D. HO was identified using density thresholds combined with manual identification and segmentation. The elbow joint and HO were divided into six regions according to three planes: the transepicondylar plane, the lateral ridge of the trochlear plane, and the radiocapitellar joint and coronoid facet plane. The differences in the volume of regional HO associated with different initial injuries were analyzed.

RESULTS

Postoperative HO was predominantly present in the medial aspect of the capsule in 52 patients (93%), in the lateral aspect of the capsule in 45 patients (80%), in the medial supracondylar in 32 patients (57%), and in the lateral supracondylar, radial head, and ulnar region in the same number of 28 patients (50%). The median and interquartile range volume of total postoperative HO was 1683 (777-4894) mm3. The median and interquartile range volume of regional postoperative HO were: 584 (121-1454) mm3 at medial aspect of capsule, 207 (5-568) mm3 at lateral aspect of capsule, 25 (0-449) mm3 at medial supracondylar, 1 (0-288) at lateral supracondylar, 2 (0-478) at proximal radius and 7 (0-203) mm3 at the proximal ulna. In the subgroups with Injury Severity Score > or = 16, Gustilo-Anderson II, normal uric acid levels, elevated alkaline phosphatase, and body mass index > or = 24, the median HO volume exceeds that of the respective control groups.

CONCLUSION

The medial aspect of the capsule was the area with the highest frequency and median volume of postoperative HO among all initial elbow injury types. Patients with higher Gustilo-Anderson grade, Injury Severity Score, alkaline phosphatase or Body Mass Index had higher median volume of postoperative HO.

Treatment and rehabilitation of post-traumatic elbow stiffness with heterotopic ossification

AIM

To investigate surgical treatment, postoperative rehabilitation and prevention of heterotopic ossification (HO) in patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of patients with post-traumatic elbow stiffness combined with HO between 2007 and 2021. This study was performed on a total of 15 patients (18 elbows) admitted to our hospital, consisting of 12 males and 3 females, with post-traumatic stiffness of the elbow combined with HO, where elbow function could not be recovered by rehabilitation and orthosis treatment. Fifteen patients were treated by surgical excision of heterotopic bones and release of elbow contracture combined with postoperative rehabilitation and orthosis-wearing. Comprehensive treatments, including radiation, oral ibuprofen medication, and manipulation techniques to improve range of motion, were used to prevent HO recurrence. The flexion-extension arc and functional score of the elbow were measured after treatment and compared with the preoperative measurements. Roentgenography was used to observe HO recurrence.

RESULTS

After surgical treatment and postoperative rehabilitation, the patients' range of motion improved, and the functional score improved considerably. The postoperative flexion-extension arc and The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) functional score were statistically significantly higher than the preoperative values (p < 0.01). Roentgenographic examination showed no HO recurrence during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

Surgical excision of heterotopic bones and elbow contracture release combined with postoperative rehabilitation and preventative HO measures can be an effective treatment for cases of post-traumatic elbow stiffness combined with HO, for which conservative treatment is ineffective.