Corrective osteotomy for cubitus varus in middle-aged patients

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Skeletal deformities
• Elbow joint reconstruction

Background:

• Cubitus varus, a deformity of the elbow, often requires surgical correction.
• Middle-aged patients with cubitus varus present unique challenges for surgical intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of corrective osteotomy for cubitus varus in middle-aged individuals.
• To determine the optimal fixation method for improved outcomes in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• A study of 20 consecutive patients (average age 47.9 years) undergoing 3D corrective osteotomy for cubitus varus.
• Fixation was achieved with either single plating (8 patients) or double plating (12 patients), with an average follow-up of 23 months.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in the humerus-elbow-wrist angle from -21.4° varus to -8.7° valgus.
• Double plating resulted in faster union times (15.1 weeks) compared to single plating (21.0 weeks), with fewer fixation failures.
• Excellent or good results were observed in 18 out of 20 patients, with high Mayo Elbow Performance Scores.

Conclusions:

• Corrective osteotomy using a closing wedge technique with double plating is a viable treatment for cubitus varus in middle-aged patients.
• This approach achieves satisfactory deformity correction and maintains elbow function, despite a tendency for delayed union.
• Double plating fixation is recommended for better healing and stability in this patient group.