Reconstruction of Capitellar Defect using Freeze-dried Cadaveric Allograft - A Case Report

Elbow instability following non-reconstructible capitellum fracture could be a source of severe pain and discomfort. There are limited treatment options to address this which include either a total elbow replacement or radiocapitellar replacement. However, these can be challenging in elderly patient with low bone stock. We present such a case in a patient who was managed with reconstruction of capitellum using freeze-dried cadaveric allograft.

A 64-year-old Caucasian female sustained a comminuted capitellar fracture. She was taken to theater for fixation of fracture, however, in view of severe communition, it was found to be non-reconstructible and hence had to be excised. She continued to have symptoms of pain and instability. She was treated with freeze-dried allograft from cadaveric bone to reconstruct the capitellum. Five months following surgery, she had no pain and achieved functional range of motion. At her final follow-up at 2 years, she remained asymptomatic and had full range of motion at elbow joint.

Capitellum reconstruction using allograft showed excellent result in short term in our patient. Ours is the first case report of using an allograft to reconstruct capitellum following severely comminuted, non-reconstructible capitellum fracture following trauma in elderly patient with osteoporotic bone.