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Capitellum Fracture Fragment Excision: a Case Series
Matthew R Garner1, Patrick C Schottel2, Robert N Hotchkiss1
1Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th Street, New York, NY 10021 USA ; Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065 USA.
Summary
Capitellum excision offers good short-term outcomes for rare elbow fractures not suitable for surgery. This procedure provides acceptable range of motion and functional scores, similar to radial head excision.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Traumatology
- Upper Extremity Injuries
Background:
- Capitellum fractures are uncommon elbow injuries.
- Limited data exists on the outcomes of fragment excision for these fractures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the range of motion and short-term clinical results following capitellum excision.
- To assess functional outcomes in patients treated with capitellum excision.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patients with isolated capitellum fractures treated with excision.
- Data collected included injury mechanism, associated injuries, fracture type, complications, and postoperative outcomes.
- Outcomes measured were elbow range of motion (ROM), instability, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score.
Main Results:
- Four female patients (average age 69) with Type I (3/4) and Type III (1/4) capitellum fractures were included.
- Average follow-up was 11 months.
- Mean ROM: 14° extension to 143° flexion; full forearm rotation; no instability; average DASH score of 18.3.
Conclusions:
- Capitellum excision yields acceptable short-term outcomes and elbow range of motion.
- This treatment is comparable to radial head excision for fractures not amenable to open reduction and internal fixation.
