Skip to main content
Log in

Fractures of capitellum: a review of 14 cases treated by open reduction and internal fixation with Herbert screws

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Orthopaedics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Fourteen patients with displaced fractures of the humeral capitellum were treated by open reduction and internal fixation of the capitellar fragments with Herbert screws. As per Bryan and Morrey classification, there were seven type I fractures, one type II fracture, three type III fractures, and three non-unions. Patient outcomes were evaluated using the Mayo elbow performance score. The follow-up period ranged from three to seven years (mean 4.8 years). All patients had a stable, pain-free elbow with good range of motion at follow-up. There was no evidence of avascular necrosis or degenerative change.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Harrington JP, McKee MD (2000) Coronal shear fractures of the capitellum and trochlea. Tech Shoulder Elbow Surg 1(4):240–246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Jupiter JB, Morrey BF (1993) Fractures of the distal humerus in the adult. In: Morrey BF (ed) The elbow and its disorders, 2nd edn. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 328–366

    Google Scholar 

  3. Silveri CP, Corso SJ, Roofeh J (1994) Herbert screw fixation of a capitellum fracture: a case report and review. Clin Orthop 300:123–126

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. McKee MD, Jupiter JB, Bamberger HB (1996) Coronal shear fractures of the distal end of the humerus. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 78:49–54

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Mighell MA, Harkins D, Klein D, Schneider S, Frankle M (2006) Technique for internal fixation of capitellum and lateral trochlea fractures. J Orthop Trauma 20(10):699–704

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Ruchelsman DE, Tejwani NC, Kwon YW, Egol KA (2008) Open reduction and internal fixation of capitellar fractures with headless screws. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 90:1321–1329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Mahirogullari M, Kiral A, Solakoglu C, Pehlivan O, Akmaz I, Rodop O (2006) Treatment of fractures of the humeral capitellum using Herbert screws. J Hand Surg (Br Eur Vol) 31:320–325

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Bryan RS, Morrey BF (1985) Fractures of the distal humerus. In: Morrey BF (ed) The elbow and its disorders. Philadelphia, Saunders, pp 325–333

    Google Scholar 

  9. Stamatis E, Paxinos O (2003) The treatment and functional outcome of type IV coronal shear fractures of the distal humerus: a retrospective review of five cases. J Orthop Trauma 17:279–284

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Ring D, Jupiter JB, Gulotta L (2003) Articular fractures of the distal part of the humerus. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 85:232–238

    Google Scholar 

  11. Goodman HJ, Choueka J (2005) Complex coronal shear fractures of the distal humerus. Bull Hosp Joint Dis 62:85–89

    Google Scholar 

  12. Ruchelsman DE, Tejwani NC, Kwon YW, Egol KA (2008) Coronal plane partial articular fractures of the distal humerus: current concepts in management. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 16(12):716–728

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Alvarez E, Patel MR, Nimberg G, Pearlman HS (1975) Fracture of the capitellum humeri. J Bone Joint Surg Am 57:1093–1096

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Dushuttle RP, Coyle MP, Zawadsky JP, Bloom H (1985) Fractures of the capitellum. J Trauma 25:317–321

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Ochner RS, Bloom H, Palumbo RC, Coyle MP (1996) Closed reduction of coronal fractures of the capitellum. J Trauma 40:199–203

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. McKee MD, Mehne DK, Jupiter JB (1992) Trauma to the adult elbow and fractures of the distal humerus. In: Browner B, Jupiter JB, Levine A et al (eds) Skeletal trauma, fractures, dislocations, ligamentous injuries. Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 1483–1522

    Google Scholar 

  17. Wilson JN (1982) Injuries of the elbow. In: Watson-Jones R (ed) Fractures and joint injuries. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, pp 587–590

    Google Scholar 

  18. Simpson LA, Richards RR (1986) Internal fixation of capitellar fractures using Herbert screws: a case report. Clin Orthop 209:166–168

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Sano S, Rokkaku T, Saito S, Tokunaga S, Abe Y, Moriya H (2005) Herbert screw fixation of capitellar fractures. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 14(3):307–311

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Liberman N, Katz T, Howard CB, Nyska M (1991) Fixation of capitellar fractures with the Herbert screw. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 110:155–157

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Mehdian H, McKee MD (2000) Fractures of capitellum and trochlea. Orthop Clin North Am 31:115–127

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Lansinger O, Mare K (1981) Fracture of the capitulum humeri. Acta Orthop Scand 52:39–44

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Johansson J, Rosman M (1980) Fracture of the capitulum humeri in children: a rare injury, often misdiagnosed. Clin Orthop 146:157–160

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Mitchell N, Shepard N (1980) Healing of articular cartilage in intra-articular fractures in rabbits. J Bone Joint Surg Am 62:628–634

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Ring D, Jupiter JB (2006) Operative treatment of osteochondral nonunion of the distal humerus. J Orthop Trauma 20:56–59

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ajay Pal Singh.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Singh, A.P., Singh, A.P., Vaishya, R. et al. Fractures of capitellum: a review of 14 cases treated by open reduction and internal fixation with Herbert screws. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 34, 897–901 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-009-0896-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-009-0896-9

Keywords

Navigation