为何建议进行此手术¶
Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton 的上肢外科医生 Kieran Hirpara 医生会从最适合您病情的微创方案入手。患者通常由其全科医生(GP)转诊至我们的诊所;如果理疗师建议您就诊,您仍需获得全科医生的转诊,才有资格享受 Medicare 报销。在您的预约就诊时,我们会采集病史、检查您的肘部,并在需要时安排影像学检查以确诊。
高尔夫球肘(Golfer's elbow)是指屈腕和抓握的肌腱附着于肘部内侧骨骼处发生的磨损和刺激。该病症通常起病缓慢,即使在休息时疼痛也可能持续存在。我们通常首先采用非手术治疗,如调整活动方式、物理治疗或手部治疗,以及使用支具固定。当这些方法在长期内未能提供足够的改善时,才会考虑手术。
该手术通过松解受损的肌腱附着点,使其与骨骼分离,从而避免每次抓握或提举时该疼痛区域受到牵拉。此手术适用于经上述其他治疗后疼痛仍未缓解的患者。大多数接受此治疗的肘部均得到改善,文献报道的成功率为 72% 至 94%。治疗目标是实现疼痛的持久缓解,并改善肘部在日常生活和运动中的功能。
术前准备¶
手术前需要进行一些影像学检查,以便制定手术方案。这可能包括X光片、超声检查或磁共振成像(MRI)扫描,后者利用磁场显示肘部周围的软组织。大多数人无需进行其他检查。如果您患有其他疾病,可能需要抽血化验或与麻醉师(负责实施麻醉的医生)进行会诊。
手术当天,请在手术时间前七小时停止进食和饮水。我们要求七小时而非六小时,以便在手术排程提前时能够提前进行您的手术。您的外科医生会告知您日常服用的药物中哪些需要继续服用,哪些需要暂停。请携带一份您正在服用的所有药物的清单。请安排他人在术后驾车送您回家,并穿着宽松舒适的衣物。
手术当天¶
您抵达医院的手术入院单元,在此办理入院手续并进行术前准备。随后,您将与麻醉师见面,麻醉师是负责为您实施麻醉的医生。本手术在全身麻醉下进行。有时会追加区域神经阻滞以缓解术后疼痛;麻醉师将在当天就此与您讨论。之后,您将被带入手术室进行手术。
您将在复苏区苏醒,期间护士会监测您的状况,直至麻醉消退。待您生命体征平稳后,根据手术类型及您的恢复情况,您将被送往病房或直接回家。接受此类手术的许多患者当天即可出院。在您离开之前,我们将向您说明如何护理您的肘部,以及您的复诊预约时间。
手术内容¶
手术针对肘部内侧疼痛肌腱附着于骨骼的部位。外科医生在该骨性突起处做一个小切口,松解受损的肌腱附着点,使其不再因每次抓握或提举而受到牵拉。清除肌腱内不健康的、呈颗粒状的病变组织,为健康肌腱提供空间,使其重新附着于骨骼并愈合。
部分肘部需要采用略有不同的方法。如果沿肘部内侧走行的神经也受到刺激,外科医生可能会将其从滑行的组织隧道中松解出来,或移除压迫该神经的一小块骨骼。如果关节本身僵硬,或关节内有松脱的组织碎片卡住,则可通过两到三个小切口进行关节镜手术,利用细长的内窥镜观察肘部内部。
切口用缝合线关闭并覆盖敷料。整个手术通常耗时不到一小时,大多数患者当天即可出院。
术后¶
您将在复苏区醒来,护士会观察您直至麻醉消退。您的肘部将覆盖敷料,手臂可能需佩戴吊带以提供舒适感。您可在苏醒后不久下床活动,护士会协助您处理任何需求。在您离院前,我们会安排镇痛方案,并指导您如何在家管理任何疼痛。前24小时需有人陪护。医疗团队将告知您是当天出院还是住院一晚。我们通常保留敷料约10天;除非我们指示,否则请勿在此之前拆除。我们会在复诊时为您更换或拆除敷料。
恢复¶
在最初几天,您的肘部会感到疼痛并可能出现肿胀。休息、在可能的情况下抬高手部,以及我们为您计划使用的止痛措施,将有助于缓解这些症状。随着愈合组织的炎症逐渐消退,疼痛感会慢慢减轻。
您将尽早开始轻柔的活动。您的手部治疗师、Extend Rehabilitation 的 Ruby Doolan 将指导您的锻炼并制作您所需的任何夹板。早期阶段的目标是让您的肘部重新完全弯曲和伸直。接下来是增强握力和手臂力量,这是恢复日常活动的重要组成部分。
在家中,您可以在舒适允许的范围内使用手臂进行轻度任务。在我们允许之前,请避免提重物,因为愈合的肌腱需要时间重新附着在骨骼上。如果某个动作引起剧烈疼痛,请放慢动作并告知您的治疗师。
每个人的恢复情况各不相同。您的时间表可能有所不同,我们将在每次复查时与治疗师一起为您提供指导。
可能出现的问题¶
大多数患者恢复良好,但偶尔也可能出现问题。您的外科医生和医疗团队会密切监测您的状况,以便尽早发现任何问题。
沿着肘部内侧走行的神经紧邻手术部位。如果术后该神经受到刺激,您可能会注意到小指和无名指出现刺痛、针刺感或麻木。如果发生这种情况,请在下次复诊时告知我们;如果症状严重,请提前致电诊所。
部分患者的肘部在术后会变得僵硬。您可能会发现手臂难以完全伸直,或者弯曲肘部时感觉紧绷。与手部治疗师一起进行温和的锻炼通常会有帮助。如果肘部持续僵硬,我们可以在复诊时讨论其他恢复活动度的方法。
弯曲手腕和抓握的肌腱附着在附近相同的部位。抓握或提物无力并不常见,但如果您注意到抓握感觉不同,请在下次就诊时提出。
任何手术都存在感染的风险。请注意观察是否出现简单的止痛药无法缓解的深层搏动性疼痛、从伤口向外扩散的红肿,或敷料渗液。如果您看到这些迹象,请立即致电诊所,不要等到复诊。
肘部附近静脉的血栓虽然罕见,但需要快速治疗。手臂或小腿突然肿胀和压痛应紧急检查。如果发生这种情况,请前往急诊科。
罕见情况下,肘部可能再次脱位,或者受伤后关节内可能形成坚硬的骨块。如果出现咔哒声或研磨感,或突然失去活动能力,应向我们报告。
有些人术后数月后仍会在手术部位感到轻微疼痛。如果您的疼痛没有按我们描述的方式缓解,请在复诊时提出,以便我们进一步调查。
如果您想了解具体数据,本页的并发症表格列出了典型发生率。
何时联系我们¶
如果您出现发热,或伤口变得更红、更肿或有液体渗出,请立即致电诊所。如果您出现突发剧烈疼痛、手臂或小腿突发肿胀或压痛,或呼吸急促,请前往急诊科。这些可能是血凝块的迹象。如果您无法感知手部感觉,或完全无法活动手臂,也请前往急诊科。如果您小指和无名指出现轻微刺痛或麻木,请致电我们或在下次复诊时提出。
Evidence & references
This is the clinical evidence summary written for health professionals. It is technical, and it lists the research this page was built from. You do not need to read it to understand your treatment or to make a decision about it.
Anatomy & Pathophysiology¶
Bony Anatomy¶
- The elbow is a trocho-ginglymoid joint consisting of medial and lateral articulations that provide bony stability [3].
- The medial articulation involves the trochlea and the ulna within the greater sigmoid notch, forming the ulnohumeral hinged portion [3].
- The ulnohumeral joint exhibits highly congruent anatomy through almost 180° of articular contact, with the exception of a bare area on the greater sigmoid notch devoid of cartilage [3].
- The coronoid process possesses medial and lateral facets that buttress the trochlea anteriorly [3].
- The sublime tubercle is located just distal and medial to the coronoid and serves as the attachment site for the anterior bundle of the medial ulnar collateral ligament [3].
- The medial epicondyle serves as the attachment site for the origins of the flexor pronator mass and is larger and more posteriorly oriented than the lateral epicondyle [3].
- The lateral articulation involves the capitellum and radial head, forming the radiocapitellar joint [3].
- The radius is held in close approximation to the ulna at the proximal radioulnar joint by the annular ligament [3].
- The area of the ulna that articulates with the margin of the radial head at the proximal radioulnar joint is known as the lesser sigmoid notch [3].
- The radial head is a concave elliptical structure covered with articular cartilage along the radiocapitellar joint and approximately 270° of the articular margin [3].
- The radial head articulates with both the capitellum and the lesser sigmoid notch [3].
- The lateral epicondyle is the origin of the lateral extensor musculature [3].
- The origin of the lateral ulnar collateral ligamentous complex is located just distal to the lateral epicondyle at the geometric center of the radiocapitellar articulation [3].
- The distal humeral articulation is angled 30° from the longitudinal axis [3].
- The anterior humeral line should pass through the center of the axis of rotation [3].
- The axis of rotation is angulated 5° to 7° in the coronal plane relative to the epicondylar axis, with the medial side more distal than the lateral side [3].
- The angulation of the distal humeral articulation accounts for the change from a valgus carrying angle to a more varus position as the elbow is flexed [3].
- There is a high correlation between the size of the radius and capitellum on the left and right sides within the same individual [3].
- The olecranon provides a broad attachment site for the triceps [3].
- The ulna bends approximately 8° medially at 8 cm from the tip of the olecranon [3].
- The articulation to the tip of the coronoid is approximately 30° from the long axis of the ulna in the sagittal plane [3].
Ligaments & Stability¶
- Elbow stability is determined by primary and secondary stabilizers [1].
- The three primary stabilizers of the elbow are the ulnohumeral articulation, the medial ulnar collateral ligament, and the lateral ulnar collateral ligament complex [1].
- Secondary stabilizers include the radiocapitellar articulation, the common flexor tendon, the common extensor tendon, and the joint capsule [1].
- The medial ulnar collateral ligament is the primary valgus stabilizer of the elbow [4].
- The anterior bundle of the medial ulnar collateral ligament is the most important component for stability [4].
- The posterior bundle of the medial ulnar collateral ligament exhibits the greatest change in length and becomes taut at flexion beyond 120 degrees [4].
- The lateral ulnar collateral ligament acts as a posterolateral stabilizer [4].
- Osborne’s ligament stabilizes the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel [4].
- The ligament of Struthers is a variant anatomy arising from the supracondylar process to attach to the medial epicondyle and is a potential site of median nerve compression [4].
- Tensile forces are present at the medial elbow, while compressive forces are present at the lateral elbow [4].
- The joint capsule allows maximum distension at approximately 70 to 80 degrees of flexion [4].
- The anterior capsule attaches at a point approximately 6 mm distal to the tip of the coronoid [4].
- The coronoid tip is an intraarticular structure that is visualized during elbow arthroscopy [4].
Muscles & Tendons¶
- The brachialis is the strongest elbow flexor and attaches to the coronoid 11 mm distal to the tip [4].
- The biceps brachii inserts at the ulnar margin of the radial tuberosity, with the long head inserting proximally and the short head distally [4].
- The biceps brachii is a powerful supinator of the forearm [4].
- The triceps is the primary elbow extensor and inserts on the olecranon process [4].
- The mobile wad consists of the brachioradialis, extensor carpi radialis longus, and extensor carpi radialis brevis [4].
- The flexor-pronator mass consists of the pronator teres, flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus, flexor carpi ulnaris, and flexor digitorum superficialis [4].
- The common origin of the extensor muscles is attached to the lateral condylar fragment [6].
- The common origin of the extensor muscles can be separated from the lateral epicondyle with a thin flake of bone or divided just distal to the lateral epicondyle [6].
Biomechanics & Motion¶
- The normal elbow has a range of motion from 0° to 140° from extension to flexion [1].
- The normal elbow has a range of motion of 75° in pronation and 85° in supination [1].
- A functional arc for the elbow is 100° for flexion and extension [1].
- A functional arc for the elbow is 100° for forearm rotation [1].
Investigations¶
History and Physical Examination¶
- The physical examination of the elbow is directed by the history and the location of the patient's pain in the anterior, posterior, medial, or lateral aspect of the elbow [1].
- The normal elbow has a range of motion of 75° and 85° in pronation and supination, respectively [1].
- A functional arc for the elbow is 100° for flexion and extension and forearm rotation [1].
- Elbow stability is determined by primary stabilizers, which include the ulnohumeral articulation, the medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL), and the lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL) complex [1].
- Secondary stabilizers of the elbow include the radiocapitellar articulation, the common flexor tendon, the common extensor tendon, and the joint capsule [1].
- The ulnar nerve is of utmost importance in the physical examination due to its anatomic proximity to the elbow [9].
- The posterior bundle of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) forms the floor of the cubital tunnel along the course of the ulnar nerve [9].
- Electromyography and nerve conduction velocity studies should be performed if there is any question about neurologic dysfunction [9].
- An assessment for ulnar nerve subluxation should be performed during the physical examination [9].
- Subluxation of the ulnar nerve is a relative contraindication for an arthroscopic procedure secondary to possible iatrogenic nerve injury [9].
- If the elbow has less than 90° to 100° of flexion, the posterior bundle of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) is contracted and must be released to restore flexion [9].
- Pain during the mid-arc of range of motion is more common with intrinsic disease and may not improve with contracture release alone [9].
Imaging¶
- Plain radiographs remain the hallmark and the best screening test for elbow evaluation [1].
- Standard radiographic views for the elbow include AP, lateral, and oblique views [9].
- Serial radiography is used as follow-up when heterotopic ossification is present [9].
- Primary bony landmarks identified on radiographs include the ulnohumeral joint, coronoid process, radial head, capitellum, radiocapitellar joint, olecranon tip, coronoid/olecranon fossae, and trochlear ridge [9].
- CT is helpful when assessing for malunion architecture and the location and pattern of osteophytes and/or loose bodies [9].
- Three-dimensional CT is used to check for heterotopic ossification [9].
- CT is not necessary when the stiffness is entirely soft-tissue related [9].
- CT is beneficial if any joint incongruity or abnormal bony anatomy is present [9].
- MRI can be used to evaluate ligaments and tendons, but it is rarely indicated for elbow stiffness [9].
- AP, lateral, oblique, and axillary views of the elbow may reveal posteromedial olecranon osteophytes and/or loose bodies in valgus extension overload syndrome [11].
- CT with two-dimensional reconstruction and three-dimensional surface rendering best visualizes the pathology of valgus extension overload syndrome [11].
- MRI may be most helpful in evaluating associated injuries including partial or complete tears of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in valgus extension overload syndrome [11].
- Radiographic evaluations are essential when diagnosing an osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesion of the elbow [12].
- Important aspects of OCD lesions may be better seen with MRI [12].
- Standard AP and lateral radiographs should be obtained for the evaluation of elbow osteoarthritis [13].
- Radiographs for elbow osteoarthritis typically show osteophyte formation at the coronoid process, coronoid fossa, radial fossa, radial head, olecranon tip, and olecranon fossa [13].
- Joint spaces at the ulnohumeral joint are usually preserved in elbow osteoarthritis [13].
- Joint spaces at the radiocapitellar joint are mildly narrowed in elbow osteoarthritis [13].
- Loose bodies may be evident on radiographs, which typically underestimate the number present [13].
- CT may be useful for surgical planning of elbow osteoarthritis, allowing a detailed assessment of osteophytes and the presence of loose bodies [13].
References¶
[1] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 13 Ebook Without Multimedia. Anatomy, Biomechanics, Physical Examination, and Imaging of the Elbow > Summary and Conclusions.
[3] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 13 Ebook Without Multimedia. Anatomy, Biomechanics, Physical Examination, and Imaging of the Elbow > Anatomy > Bony Anatomy.
[4] Miller S Review Of Orthopaedics. SECTION 16 PATELLAR TRACKING IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY > TABLE 2.3 Shoulder Spaces.
[6] Campbell S Operative Orthopaedics 4 Volume Set. LATERAL APPROACHES.
[9] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Elbow Stiffness* > IV. Evaluation.
[11] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Elbow Injuries in the Athlete* > III. Valgus Extension Overload Syndrome and Posterior Impingement.
[12] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update. Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Knee and Elbow* > Summary.
[13] Aaos Comprehensive Orthopaedic Review 3. Arthritis and Arthroplasty of the Elbow > I. Osteoarthritis.
