Orthopedics in Motion 2016 Tristan Hartzell, MD January 27, 2016
Humerus fractures Proximal Shaft Distal
Objectives 1) Understand the anatomy 2) Epidemiology and mechanisms of injury 3) Types of fractures 3) Treatment
History Sir John Charnley: It is perhaps the easiest of major long bones to treat by conservative methods??
Well-enveloped in muscle and soft tissue good prognosis for healing Anatomy
The septums Used as key landmarks Anatomical approaches
The Radial Nerve The most important piece of anatomy to know relative to the humerus Document radial nerve function from the start!
Epidemiology 3-5% of all fractures The energy spectrum of injury Young males high energy (direct trauma) Elderly females low energy (indirect trauma)
Our Numbers 2015 72 Pediatric humerus fractures 37 Adult humerus fractures
Imaging X-ray (above/below joint) CT scan (rotation) (proximal and distal) MRI scan (pathologic) Nerve conduction studies (radial nerve) Evaluation Physical exam Closed vs open Threatened skin Nerve and vascular function
Associated injuries Radial nerve injury Neuropraxia at time of injury generally resolves Decreased nerve function after manipulation or surgery nerve entrapped or injured and needs exploration
Classification Closed versus open Location proximal, middle, distal Fracture pattern transverse, spiral, oblique, comminuted segmental, unicondylar, bicondylar Soft tissue status Gustilo classification AO system research purposes mostly
Treatment Humeral shaft: Goal establish union with acceptable alignment in an acceptable timeframe Distal humerus: Goal establish union with congruent articular surface in a manner that can begin early motion
Humeral Shaft Non-operative Non-displaced closed simple fractures Displaced closed fractures with less than 20 degrees anterior angulation, 30 varus/valgus angulation, less than 3 cm of shortening
Non-operative treatment Coaptation splint Initial care
Non-operative treatment Hanging arm cast
Non-operative treatment Sarmiento brace or humeral fracture brace Transtion to these Treating fractures while allowing function
Non-operative outcomes >90% heal 2 months Or until clinical/radiographic evidence of healing Those that don t Interposed tissue Medical co-morbidities
Humeral shaft - Operative Unable to maintain reduction Nerve injuries after reduction Open Segmental Multiple extremities Intra-articular extension
Operation types External fixation IM rodding Plate fixation
Nailing Intramedullary Rod
The standard of care Plate fixation
Surgical approaches Lateral and variants Lateral Anterolateral More proximal Posterior More distal
Anterolateral Universal approach to the entire humerus Coracoid to lateral supracondylar ridge Postioning Supine
Posterior Better for more distal fractures Tip of olecranon distally to posterolateral corner of acromion proximally Positioning Supine Decubitus Prone
Fixation Four holes on each side of fracture Large plates 4.5 mm LCP
Plate fixation High union rate, low complication rate, rapid return to function Immediate return to motion Minimally invasive plating
Complications Non-union Plate failure Iatrogenic injury Dictate nerve status and location
Distal Humerus Treatment Very different Much more difficult
Surgical Anatomy Medial and lateral columns diverge from humeral shaft at 45 degree angle The columns are the important structures for support of the distal humeral triangle
Treatment Principles 1. Anatomic articular reduction 2. Stable internal fixation of the articular surface 3. Restoration of articular axial alignment 4. Stable internal fixation of the articular segment to the metaphysis and diaphysis 5. Early range of motion of the elbow
Distal humerus Non-operative Non-displaced Closed Rare
Non-operative treatment Posterior long arm splint
Non-operative treatment Hinged elbow brace
Essentially anything that is displaced Operative
Surgical Treatment Lateral decubitus position Prone positioning possible Supine position difficult Arm hanging over a post Sterile tourniquet if desired Midline posterior incision
Exposures Reduction influences outcome in articular fractures Exposure affects ability to achieve reduction Exposure influences outcome! Choose the exposure that fits the fracture pattern
Surgical exposures Intra-articular olecranon osteotomy Difficult joint reduction Triceps splitting, paratricipital, etc Easy joint reduction Or extra-articular Extra-articular olecranon osteotomy Little role
Osteotomy Fixation Single screw technique Long screw may be beneficial for adequate fixation Short screw may loosen or toggle with contraction of triceps against olecranon segment 30% non-union rate Hak and Golladay, JAAOS, 8:266-75, 2000
Engage anterior ulnar cortex here with wires to improve fixation stability/strength Tension band wire Length of screw may be important to resist toggling and loss of reduction Tension band screw
Osteotomy Fixation Dorsal plating Low profile periarticular implants now available Axial screw through plate Good results after plate fixation Hewin et al (2007) J Orthop Trauma 21:58 Tejwani et al (2002) Bull Hosp Jt Dis 61:27
To transpose or not to transpose? Identification and mobilization of the ulnar nerve is often required Ulnar nerve palsy may be related to injury, surgical exposure/mobilization/stripping, compression by implant, or scar formation
Fixation Implants determined by fracture pattern Extra-articular fractures may be stabilized by one or two contoured plates Locked vs. nonlocked based upon bone quality, working length for fixation, surgeon preference Intra-articular fractures Dual plates most often used in 1 of 2 configurations 90-90: medial and posterolateral Medial and lateral plating
The standard of care most of the time Dual plating
90/90 plating
All purpose
Other Potential Surgical Options Total elbow arthroplasty Comminuted intra-articular fracture in the elderly Promotes immediate ROM Usually limited by poor remaining bone stock Bag of bones technique Rarely indicated if at all
Complications Non-union Infection Stiffness?
Rehab The elbow gets stiff! Ideal early active motion if solid fixation If not healed normal anatomy and do later second operation for stiffness We have excellent therapists
Thank you!