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Background: Autograft reconstruction of the coronoid using the tip of the olecranon has been described as a treatment option for comminuted coronoid fractures or coronoid nonunions that are not repairable. The purpose of this in vitro biomechanical study of the coronoid-deficient elbow was to determine whether coronoid reconstruction using the tip of the ipsilateral olecranon would restore elbow kinematics. Methods: An elbow motion simulator was used to perform active and passive extension of six cadaveric arms in the horizontal, valgus, varus, and vertical orientations. Elbow kinematics were quantified with use of the screw displacement axis of the ulna with respect to the humerus. Testing was performed with an intact coronoid, a 40% coronoid deficiency, and a coronoid reconstruction using the tip of the ipsilateral olecranon. Results: Creation of a 40% coronoid deficiency resulted in significant changes (range, 3.6° to 10.9°) in the angular deviations of the screw displacement axis relative to the intact state during simulated active and passive extension in the varus orientation with the forearm in pronation and in supination (p < 0.05). Reconstruction of the coronoid using the ipsilateral olecranon tip restored the angular deviations to those in the intact state (p > 0.05) with the arm in all orientations except valgus, in which there was a small but significant difference (0.4° ± 0.2°, p = 0.04) during passive motion with forearm supination. Conclusions: Reconstruction of the coronoid using the tip of the ipsilateral olecranon was an effective method for restoring normal kinematics over a range of elbow motion from 20° to 120° in a cadaveric model of an elbow with a 40% coronoid deficiency. This reconstruction technique may prove beneficial for patients with elbow instability due to coronoid deficiency. Clinical Relevance: This study supports the biomechanical concept of coronoid reconstruction using the ipsilateral olecranon tip for coronoid fractures or nonunions involving 40% of the coronoid process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the treatment for triad elbow fracture-dislocation with a systematic approach includes its fixation on the coronoid using the lasso technique. It notes on the three critical aspects which describes the fracture-dislocations of the elbow includes coronoid fracture, posterior elbow dislocation and radial head fracture. It also mentions that elbows treated with coronoid suture lasso technique has lower rate of complications including malunion, hardware failure and nounion.

Background: Terrible triad inJuries consist of a posterior dislocation of the elbow, a coronoid fracture, and a radial head fracture. The coronoid plays a pivotal role as an anterior buttress, yet the optimal management of the coronoid fracture remains unknown. We hypothesize that suture lasso fixation of the coronoid fracture leads to fewer complications and improved outcomes compared with screw or suture anchor fixation techniques. Methods: A retrospective chart review performed at three tertiary care centers identified forty consecutive patients treated for terrible triad injuries of the elbow with a minimum follow-up of eighteen months (mean, twenty-four months; range, eighteen to fifty-three months). All patients were managed with a standard approach consisting of: (1) repair or replacement of the radial head; (2) repair of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL) of the elbow; and (3) repair of the coronoid fracture with one of two techniques: Group I (n = 28) consisted of the "lasso" technique and Group II (n = 12) consisted of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with screws or suture anchors. Results: For the study population, the mean postoperative arc of elbow motion was 115° (range, 75° to 140°), the average Disabilities ofthe Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score was 16 (range, 0 to 43), and the average Broberg-Morrey score was 90 (range, 64 to 100). For repair of the coronoid fracture, the suture lasso technique was more stable than the other techniques intraoperatively, both before (p < 0.05) and after (p < 0.05) LUCL repair, and at the final follow-up (p < 0.05). ORIF was associated with a higher prevalence of implant failure (p < 0.05), and suture anchors were associated with a higher prevalence of malunion and nonunion (p < 0.05). Conclusions: For terrible triad injuries, greater stability with fewer complications was achieved with use of the suture lasso technique for coronoid fracture fixation. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level Ill. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Fracture of the anteromedial facet of the coronoid was recently recognized as a distinct type of coronoid fracture resulting from a varus posteromedial rotational injury force. Very few reports are available to help guide the management of these injuries. METHODS: Eighteen patients with a fracture of the anteromedial facet of the coronoid process were treated over a six-year period. Twelve patients were treated for the acute fracture, and six were managed after initial treatment elsewhere. All but three patients (two with concomitant fracture of the olecranon and one with a second fracture at the base of the coronoid) had avulsion of the origin of the lateral collateral ligament complex from the lateral epicondyle. The initial treatment was operative in fifteen patients and nonoperative in three. The coronoid fracture was secured with a plate applied to the medial surface of the coronoid in nine patients, a screw in one patient, and sutures in one patient. It was not repaired in the remaining seven patients. RESULTS: At the final evaluation, an average of twenty-six months after the injury, six patients had malalignment of the anteromedial facet of the coronoid with varus subluxation of the elbow, which was due to the fact that the fracture had not been specifically treated in four patients and to loss of fracture fixation in two patients. All six had development of arthrosis and a fair or poor result according to the system of Broberg and Morrey. The remaining twelve patients had good or excellent elbow function. CONCLUSIONS: Anteromedial fractures of the coronoid are associated with either subluxation or complete dislocation of the elbow in most patients. Secure fixation of the coronoid fracture usually restores good elbow function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]