One-stage repair of bony and ligamentous components in treatment of Mason-Johnston type IV radial head fractures

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the clinical outcomes of primary repair of bony and ligamentous components in treatment of Mason-Johnston type Ⅳ radial head fractures.Methods From August 2007 to November 2011,16 cases of Mason-Johnston type Ⅳ radial head fractures were treated by open reduction and screw or plate fixation combined with simultaneous repair of ruptured capsular ligaments with suture anchors.There were 11 men and 5 women with a mean age of 31.6 years (range,18-52 years).Totally,left side was involved in seven cases and right side in nine； dominant side was involved in 13 cases and non-prominent side in three.Time from injury to operation averaged 6.2 days (range,2-11 days).Nine cases of partial articular fractures with 2 or 3 fragments were treated with 1.5 mm or 2.0 mm AO miniscrews and seven cases of complete articular fractures with 2-4 fragments were treated with 2.0 mm AO mini plastic plates and screws after reduction.Active and assisted functional exercise was instructed in the early period after surgery.Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Broberg-Morrey elbow performance were measured for function assessment at the latest follow-up.Results Follow-up averaged 22.6 months (range,12-38 months),which showed primary wound healing without infection.All fractures achieved bony union at an average of 4.8 months (range,3.3-6.2 months).Ten out of the 16 cases,four of partial articular fractures and six of complete articular fractures,had slight but asymptomatic ossification in the medial and lateral collateral ligament attachment.There were two excellent,six good and one fair results in partial articular fracture group,with excellent-good rate of 89％ as well as one excellent,four good and two fair results in complete articular fracture group,with excellent-good rate of 72％.Moreover,the total excellentgood rate reached 81％.Range of motion in extension,flexion and rotation,Broberg-Morrey score and VAS presented statistical differences between partial and complete articular fracture groups (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Primary management of bony and ligamentous components to treat Mason-Johnston type Ⅳ radial head fractures brings timely three-dimensional stability of the elbow joint,favors early functional exercise and further decreases incidence of postoperative complications,such as elbow stiffness,pain and heterotopic ossification. Key words: Radius fractures ; Fracture fixation, internal; Ligament