– See: Radiographs for Supracondylar Frx: – Baumann’s Angle: – humeral capitellar angle: angle between long axis of humeral shaft & growth plate of lateral condyle, will reliably predict final carrying angle after reduction; – normal is about 85-89 deg, but it is best to judge … Read more
– See: Arteries of the Upper Limb – Discussion: – the axillary artery begins at the first rib as a direct continuation of the subclavian artery and becomes the brachial artery at the lower border of the teres major – artery passes behind pectoralis minor in its course thru axilla & is conveniently described as having 3 … Read more
– See: – Surgical Approach: – Transverse Fractures – Discussion: – transverse frx line divides small proximal fragment of olecranon process from rest of ulna; – this frx is most common in elderly patients; – Resection of Olecranon: – Surgical Approach: – resection … Read more
– Discussion: – in the presence of H.O. the nerve should be placed in the subcutaneous position, since H.O. forms between muscle layers; – sub-muscular transposition (or subQ transposition) is also indicated to relieve tension following ulnar nerve repairs; – is often indicated in revision cubital tunnel surgery; … Read more
– See: Baumann’s Angle – Discussion: – cubitus varus is the most common complication following supracondylar frx, – orginally, etilogy of cubitus varus was thought to occur because of growth disturbance of distal humeral epiphysis; – this may be true but is uncommon; … Read more
– See: Nerve Entrapment – Discussion: – cubital tunnel serves as major contraint for the ulnar nerve as it passes behind elbow; – the syndrome occurs most commonly between 30 to 60 years, and is exceptionally uncommon in children under 15 years; – inciting events: – symptoms may appear several years after trauma (hence tardy … Read more
– Discussion: – note carrying angle of the elbow (for cubitus valgus); – r/o subluxation: – palpate the nerve in the cubital tunnel and note its mobility; – it is essential to know whether ulnar nerve subluxation is present; – motor … Read more
– Discussion: – w/ flexion the cubital tunnel becomes taunt, and with extension the cubital tunnel becomes lax; – sharp freee margin of aponeurosis is stretched tightly over nerve during flexion; – volume of the cubital tunnel decreases, and extrinsic pressure increases during … Read more
– Discussion: – coronoid helps to resist varus stress and posterior elbow subluxation (radial head also resists posterior subluxation); – pivotal role as an anterior buttress; – at least 50% of the coronoid must be present for the ulno-humeral joint to have normal function (i.e., for joint to be stable); … Read more
– Discription: – broad cloverleaf shaped plate which is designed to butress comminuted supracondylar fractures; – this plate may be especially indicated for comminuted distal fractures w/ a coronal shear frx; – plate is designed to contour to the lateral aspect of the distal femoral … Read more