为何建议进行此手术¶
Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton 的上肢外科医生 Kieran Hirpara 医生会根据您的具体伤情制定治疗方案。患者通常由全科医生(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。在就诊时,我们会采集病史,检查您的肘部,并在必要时安排影像学检查。这有助于判断肘部骨折处的骨骼是否发生移位。
如果骨折碎片移位极小,通常无需手术,可使用夹板固定并复查 X 光片,以确保没有进一步移位。这通常是我们首先讨论的治疗选项。当骨折移位程度较大,无法自行在功能性位置愈合时,则建议进行手术。手术的目的是在骨折愈合过程中将骨折碎片固定在正常位置,以保持肘关节关节面的光滑。关节面粗糙可能导致关节随时间推移发生退行性关节炎。牢固固定骨骼还能让您尽早开始活动肘关节,从而降低永久性僵硬的风险。接受此手术的患者大多会保留植入物,仅有 3% 的患者术后出现植入物移位。
术前¶
一旦确定手术计划,我们将为您提供明确的指导说明。您需要在术前七小时停止进食和饮水。我们要求七小时而非通常的六小时,以便在手术室排程进度提前时,您的手术时间可以相应提前。某些药物可能会影响手术,因此请携带一份您正在服用的所有药物的书面清单,我们将告知您哪些药物需要暂停服用。请安排他人在术后驾车送您回家。请穿着宽松舒适的衣物,袖子应能轻松滑过肘部。术前可能会安排影像学检查(如X光、MRI或超声)以规划手术。如果您有其他基础疾病,可能需要进行血液检查或接受麻醉医生的评估,但大多数人不需要。
手术当日¶
您将抵达医院的手术入院病区,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,麻醉师负责管理您的麻醉及术后镇痛。本手术在全身麻醉下进行。有时,为缓解术后疼痛,会额外实施区域神经阻滞;麻醉师将在手术当日就此与您沟通。之后,您将被带入手术室进行手术。术后,您将在复苏室苏醒,护士会在此监测您的情况,直至麻醉作用消退。待您的生命体征稳定后,根据手术类型及恢复情况,您将被转入病房或直接回家。
手术内容¶
该手术称为切开复位内固定术。“切开”指外科医生通过肘部后方肘尖处的一个切口进入骨折部位。“复位”指将骨折碎片轻柔地恢复至正常位置,“内固定”指在骨骼愈合期间使用金属植入物将其固定在该位置。
外科医生会根据您的骨折情况选择合适的植入物,因为没有单一技术适用于所有骨折。对于简单的两段骨折,碎片可能通过在您活动时将其压合在一起的钢丝环固定,或通过沿骨骼中央放置的螺钉固定。对于多段骨折或骨质较软的情况,常使用沿肘部后方塑形并以小螺钉固定的钢板。某些骨折可使用锚定在骨骼上的高强度缝合线代替金属进行固定。无论采用何种方法,目标均相同:提供牢固的固定,使您能够尽早开始活动肘关节。
当碎片恢复至正常位置且植入物固定稳妥后,外科医生会检查肘关节表面是否光滑以及关节活动是否自如。随后,组织层被缝合复原,皮肤以缝合线闭合,并覆盖敷料。
术后¶
醒来后,您的手臂将佩戴一个简单的悬吊带以提供舒适感。护士会查看您的情况,并在需要时为您提供止痛治疗。回家后,最初的24小时内应有人陪伴您。您的医疗团队会告知您是当天回家还是在医院过夜。一旦您感觉稳定,即可下床活动;洗澡以及进行医疗团队向您演示的练习时,请取下悬吊带。敷料需保留约10天;除非我们告知您,否则请勿在此之前取下。我们复诊时会更换或拆除敷料。从第一天起请保持手部和手指的活动,这有助于减轻肿胀并提高舒适度。
恢复¶
在最初几天,您的肘部会感到疼痛和肿胀,周围皮肤可能出现瘀伤。这种情况会逐渐缓解。从第一天起保持手部和手指的活动有助于恢复,在坐着或睡觉时用枕头将手臂垫高也有帮助。起初应规律服用已开具的止痛药,而不是等到疼痛加剧后再服用。
在恢复初期,您的手臂会佩戴一个简单的吊带以提供舒适感。洗澡和进行锻炼时需取下吊带。术后手部康复治疗由 Extend Rehabilitation 的 Ruby Doolan 负责。Ruby 会指导您进行有助于在骨骼愈合期间保持肘部活动的锻炼,如有需要,她还会为您制作夹板。您需要从一开始就保持手指和手部的活动,随着骨折处稳定,逐步加入轻柔的肘部活动。起初,日常任务需要一些规划:在手臂恢复稳定之前,您在用餐、穿衣和搬运物品时需要他人协助。
随着肿胀消退和活动能力恢复,您会注意到锻炼变得更容易。一旦您的外科医生确认骨骼愈合良好,吊带将永久取下,您开始使用手臂进行家中轻度的任务。较重的提举、体育运动和驾驶将在之后进行,前提是您的治疗师和外科医生一致认为肘部已足够强壮。如果驾驶在您的计划中,请参阅我们关于 上肢手术后驾驶 的指南,了解适用的规则。
每个人的愈合速度不同,因此您的时间表可能有所不同。您的外科医生和手部治疗师将在每次就诊时为您提供指导。
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。
用于固定骨骼的金属内固定物有时可能会从放置的位置发生移位。您可能会注意到肘部出现新的锐痛、皮肤下出现之前没有的肿块,或者内固定物所在部位的皮肤出现疼痛或摩擦不适。如果您有这种感觉,请致电诊所,而不要等到下次复诊。
钢丝或内固定物也可能压迫或刺穿皮肤。这会导致疼痛和皮肤刺激,伤口可能在相应部位破溃。如果您看到这种情况,请立即告知我们,因为可能需要取出内固定物。
任何手术都存在感染的风险。请留意以下症状:不随普通止痛药缓解的深部搏动性疼痛、从伤口向外扩散的红肿、伤口渗液或发热。如果您注意到其中任何症状,请在当天联系诊所;如果无法联系我们,请前往急诊科。
感染还可能延缓骨骼愈合。如果愈合过程似乎比您的医疗团队预期的时间长得多,请在下次复查时提出。
走行于肘尖后方的神经可能会受到刺激。这可能导致沿前臂内侧直至小指和无名指出现刺痛、针刺感或麻木。请在复查时提及这些感觉,或者如果它们突然发作,请致电诊所。
有些人即使骨折愈合良好,也会注意到肘部完全伸直功能略有丧失。另一些人则可能随着时间推移在关节处发生退行性关节炎,这可能表现为酸痛、弹响或摩擦感。这两种情况都值得在随访中提出,以便您的医疗团队进行跟踪。
骨骼也可能无法愈合,或以错误的位置愈合。如果在愈合数周后您的肘部仍然疼痛且不稳定,我们将通过X光检查您的情况。
吸烟会增加此手术后出现问题的几率。如果您吸烟,请在手术前与您的全科医生讨论戒烟事宜。
如果您想了解具体数据,本页上的并发症表格列出了典型的发病率。
何时联系我们¶
大多数问题都会在早期显现,我们更希望您能立即告知。如果您出现发热、伤口红肿加重或开始渗出液体,或疼痛突然明显加剧,请致电我们。如果您出现小腿肿胀、呼吸困难或胸痛,请立即前往急诊。如果您的手指或手部出现麻木、发冷,或无法活动手臂,也请致电我们。如果您无法联系到我们且情况紧急,请前往最近的急诊科。
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 trochlea articulates with the ulna within the greater sigmoid notch to form the ulnohumeral, hinged, or trochoid portion of the elbow joint [3].
- The ulnohumeral articulation provides highly congruent anatomy through almost 180° of articular contact [3].
- The greater sigmoid notch of the ulna contains a bare area devoid of cartilage [3].
- The coronoid process has 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 is larger and more posteriorly oriented than the lateral epicondyle [3].
- The medial epicondyle forms the attachment site for the origins of the flexor pronator mass [3].
- The capitellum and radial head form 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 lesser sigmoid notch is the area of the ulna that articulates with the margin of the radial head at the proximal radioulnar joint [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 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].
- There is a high correlation between the size of the radial head and capitellum on the left and right sides of the same individual [2, 3].
Ligaments and Soft Tissue¶
- Elbow stability is determined by primary stabilizers, which include the ulnohumeral articulation, the medial ulnar collateral ligament, and the lateral ulnar collateral ligament 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 medial ulnar collateral ligament is the primary valgus stabilizer of the elbow [4, 5].
- The anterior bundle of the medial ulnar collateral ligament is the most important component for stability [4, 5].
- The posterior bundle of the medial ulnar collateral ligament becomes taut at flexion beyond 120 degrees [4, 5].
- The lateral ulnar collateral ligament acts as a posterolateral stabilizer [4, 5].
- Osborne’s ligament stabilizes the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel [4, 5].
- 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, 5].
- The anterior capsule attaches at a point approximately 6 mm distal to the tip of the coronoid [4, 5].
- The joint capsule allows maximum distension at approximately 70 to 80 degrees of flexion [4, 5].
- Tensile forces are present at the medial elbow and compressive forces at the lateral elbow [4, 5].
- The triceps muscle has three distinct insertional areas to the olecranon: the posterior capsular insertion, the deep muscular portion, and the superficial tendinous portion [2].
- The deep muscular head of the triceps corresponds to the medial head of the triceps [2].
- The superficial tendinous portion of the triceps corresponds to the long and lateral heads [2].
- The width of the triceps insertion is 2.6 cm and is located 1.1 cm from the tip of the olecranon [2].
- The brachialis is the strongest elbow flexor and attaches to the coronoid 11 mm distal to the tip [4, 5].
- The biceps brachii inserts at the ulnar margin of the radial tuberosity [4, 5].
- The primary elbow extensor, the triceps, inserts on the olecranon process [4, 5].
Biomechanics and 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 flexion and extension is 100° [1].
- A functional arc for forearm rotation is 100° [1].
- 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].
Investigations¶
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].
- Pathologic entities associated with these discrete compartments aid the examiner in detecting pathologic conditions [1].
- The soft tissue surrounding the elbow should be examined for previous skin incisions, grafts, eschar, or infection [9].
- Active and passive flexion, extension, supination, and pronation should be evaluated using a goniometer for accurate measurement [9].
- The contralateral elbow should be examined for comparison during range of motion assessment [9].
- If the elbow has less than 90° to 100° of flexion, the posterior bundle of the medial collateral ligament is contracted and must be released to restore flexion [9].
- Pain should be assessed during the mid-arc or at the terminal ends of motion [9].
- Mid-arc range of motion pain is more common with intrinsic disease and may not improve with contracture release alone [9].
- The ulnar nerve is of utmost importance during examination because of its anatomic proximity to the elbow [9].
- The posterior bundle of the medial collateral ligament 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 [9].
- Subluxation of the ulnar nerve is a relative contraindication for an arthroscopic procedure secondary to possible iatrogenic nerve injury [9].
- The presence of a prior ulnar nerve transposition should be verified if there is a history of prior surgical procedures [9].
Imaging¶
- Plain radiographs remain the hallmark and the best screening test for elbow evaluation [1].
- AP, lateral, and oblique radiographs are standard for elbow imaging [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].
- 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 in valgus extension overload syndrome [11].
- Radiographic evaluations are essential when diagnosing an osteochondritis dissecans lesion of the elbow [12].
- Important aspects of osteochondritis dissecans lesions may be better seen with MRI [12].
- Standard AP and lateral radiographs typically show osteophyte formation at the coronoid process, coronoid fossa, radial fossa, radial head, olecranon tip, and olecranon fossa in elbow osteoarthritis [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 in 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.
[2] Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 13 Ebook Without Multimedia. Anatomy, Biomechanics, Physical Examination, and Imaging of the Elbow > Annotated References.
[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.
[5] Miller S Review Of Orthopaedics. Genetics of musculoskeletal conditions and abnormalities are summarized in Table 1.27 > TABLE 2.3 Shoulder Spaces.
[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.
