[Risk factors of elbow stiffness after open reduction and internal fixation of intercondylar fracture of humerus]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the risk factors of elbow stiffness after open reduction and internal fixation of intercondylar fracture of humerus.

METHODS

From March 2015 to February 2019, 120 patients with humeral intercondylar fractures were treated with open fixation including 59 males and 61 females, aged from 25 to 77 years with an average of(53.5±3.2) years. According to the occurrence of elbow stiffness after operation, 120 patients were divided into stiffness group(37 cases) and control group(83 cases). The related factors of elbow stiffness were analyzed by single factor analysis, and the risk of elbow stiffness after internal fixation of humeral intercondylar fracture was analyzed by logistic regression factor.

RESULTS

There were 37 cases of elbow stiffness(stiff group), and 83 cases had no elbow stiffness(control group). The incidence of joint stiffness was 30.83%. There were significant differences between the stiffness group and the control group in age, injury energy, fracture to operation time, AO classification of fracture, open injury and postoperative premature or hyperactivity. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age>50 years old, high energy injury, AO classification of fracture, open fracture and postoperative premature or hyperactivity were risk factors for elbow stiffness after internal fixation of humeral intercondylar fracture. The postoperative mobility and Mayo elbow performance score(MEPS) scores of the postoperative stiffness group were lower than those of the non-stiffness group with statistical significance(P<0.05). There were no significant differences in postoperative mobility and MEPS scores between flexion stiffness and rotation stiffness after humeral intercondylar fracture(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

In view of the risk factors of elbow stiffness after internal fixation of humeral intercondylar fracture, reasonable operation plan and rehabilitation strategy should be formulated before operation to minimize the incidence of elbow stiffness.

[Effectiveness comparison of suspension fixation plus hinged external fixator and double plate internal fixation in treatment of type C humeral intercondylar fractures]

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of suspension fixation plus hinged external fixator with double plate internal fixation in the treatment of type C humeral intercondylar fractures.

Methods

Between January 2014 and April 2016, 30 patients with type C (Association for the Study of Internal Fixation, AO/ASIF) humeral intercondylar fractures were treated. Kirschner wire suspension fixation plus hinged external fixator was used in 14 cases (group A), and double plate internal fixation in 16 cases (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, injury cause, disease duration, injury side, and type of fracture between 2 groups ( P>0.05).

Results

There was no significant difference in operation time and hospitalization stay between 2 groups ( P>0.05). But the intraoperative blood loss in group A was significantly less than that in group B ( P<0.05); the visual analogue scale (VAS) score at 1 day and 3 days after operation in group A were significantly less than those in group B ( P<0.05). Primary healing of incision was obtained in all patients of 2 groups, and no surgery-related complications occurred. The patients were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 12.3 months) in group A and 6-24 months (mean, 12.8 months) in group B. The self-evaluation satisfaction rate was 85.7% (12/14) in group A and was 81.2% (13/16) in group B at 3 months after operation, showing no significant difference ( χ²=0.055, P=0.990). Based on the improved Gassebaum elbow performance score at 6 months after operation, excellent and good rate of the elbow function was 78.6% (excellent in 5 cases, good in 6 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case) in group A and was 81.2% (excellent in 6 cases, good in 7 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case) in group B, showing no significant difference between 2 groups ( χ²=0.056, P=0.990). Heterotopic ossification occurred at 3 months after operation in 1 case of each group respectively. The X-ray films showed bony union in all cases; no loosening or breakage of screw was observed. The bone union time showed no significant difference between 2 groups ( t=-0.028, P=0.978). The time of internal fixation removal, the intraoperative blood loss, and VAS score at 1 day and 3 days after operation in group A were significant better than those in group B ( P<0.05).

Conclusion

The suspension fixation plus hinged external fixator and double plate internal fixation for the treatment of type C humeral intercondylar fractures have ideal outcome in elbow function. But the suspension fixation plus hinged external fixator is better than double plate internal fixation in intraoperative blood loss, postoperative VAS score, and time of internal fixation removal.