To cure coronoid process fractures of ulna through anterior approach of the elbow and frame shape plate internal fixation

Abstract

To observe the effect of open reduction through anterior approach of the elbow and frame shape plate internal fixation in the treatment of coronoid process fracture of ulna. From August 2011 to October 2014, 17 patients with coronoid process fracture of ulna were treated with open reduction through anterior approach of the elbow and internal fixation with frame shape plate. There were 12 males and 5 females with an average age of 36.4 years old. A "S" shape anterior incision of the elbow was used to expose the fracture. The soft tissue of the bone block was kept intact and the fracture was fixed with internal frame shape plate. The therapeutic effects were evaluated by hospital for special surgery (HSS) elbow score system. All the patients were followed up for 8-26 months (average 14 months). The fractures clinically healed at an average time of 10 weeks (ranged from 9 to 11 weeks). There was no myositis ossificans happened. The patients' elbow joint function according to the HSS scores were 12 cases excellent (70.6%), good 4(23.5%) and moderate 1 (5.9%). The total excellent and good rate was 94.1%. Open reduction through anterior approach of the elbow and internal fixation with frame shape plate is effective to reach anatomical reduction in the treatment of the coronoid process fracture of ulna, with little damage and strong fixation.