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Avulsion fracture of the supinator crest of the proximal ulna in the context of elbow joint injuries

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Abstract

Purpose

While performing CT examinations of the elbow, we frequently observed a previously undescribed fracture fragment of the supinator crest of the ulna. According to the anatomy of the lateral collateral ligament complex, this fracture might be an avulsion fracture of the annular ligament and/or the lateral ulnar collateral ligament. The aim of this study was to further characterize these fragments and document their associated injuries.

Methods

Retrospective evaluation of CT scans of the elbow was performed. Conventional X-ray and CT diagnoses were used to systematically document any associated injuries.

Results

A total of 152 CT scans were evaluated. The fragment in question was discovered in 17 patients (11.2 %). The average age of the patients was 40 years (±14.9; 9–71 years). The fragment size varied between a few millimetres and 2.4 cm. Multifragmented fractures were observed. In 82.3 % of the cases, associated radial head fractures were diagnosed. In 29.4 %, a coronoid process fracture was present. Distal humerus fractures were found in 23.5 %. Instability in the medial collateral ligament and an Osborne-Cotterill lesion were found in 11.8 % of the patients, respectively.

Conclusions

In a significant percentage of the population, a previously undescribed fracture fragment of the supinator crest of the ulna could be detected. The most frequently occurring associated injuries were fractures of the radial head, the coronoid process, and the distal humerus. The aetiology of these lesions is unknown; however, bony avulsion of the annular or the lateral ulnar collateral ligament seems to be the most likely cause. If this fragment is to be diagnosed by CT, the possibility of lateral or posterolateral instability should be considered.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department for Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Berufsgenossenschaftliche Unfallklinik, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    Kay Schmidt-Horlohé, Philipp Wilde, Yoon-Joo Kim & Reinhard Hoffmann

  2. Department for Trauma Surgery, Klinikum Starnberg, Starnberg, Germany

    Andreas Bonk

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  1. Kay Schmidt-Horlohé
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  2. Philipp Wilde
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  3. Yoon-Joo Kim
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  4. Andreas Bonk
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  5. Reinhard Hoffmann
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Correspondence to Kay Schmidt-Horlohé.

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Schmidt-Horlohé, K., Wilde, P., Kim, YJ. et al. Avulsion fracture of the supinator crest of the proximal ulna in the context of elbow joint injuries. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 37, 1957–1963 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-013-1976-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-013-1976-4

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