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https://upload.orthobullets.com/topic/1020/images/coronoid fx.jpg
https://upload.orthobullets.com/topic/1020/images/anteromedial facet fracture 3d ct.jpg
https://upload.orthobullets.com/topic/1020/images/coronoid tip fracture 3d ct.jpg
https://upload.orthobullets.com/topic/1020/images/anteromedial facet coronoid fracture ap and lateral radiographs.jpg
  • summary
    • Coronoid Fractures are traumatic elbow fractures that are generally pathognomonic for an episode of elbow instability. 
    • Diagnosis can be made using plain radiographs of the elbow. CT studies may be helpful for surgical planning.
    • Treatment may be nonoperative for nondisplaced coronoid tip fractures with a stable elbow. Surgical management is indicated for anteromedial facet fractures or fractures associated with elbow instability.
  • Epidemiology
    • Incidence
      • 10-15% of elbow injuries
  • Etiology
    • Types
      • isolated coronoid fracture
        • less common than previously thought
      • coronoid fracture + associated injuries
        • commonly occur with elbow dislocation
          • associated with recurrent instability after dislocation
    • Mechanism
      • traumatic shear injury
        • typically occurs as distal humerus is driven against coronoid with an episode of severe varus stress or posterior subluxation
        • not an avulsion injury as nothing inserts on tip
    • Pathoanatomy
      • fractures at the coronoid base can amplify elbow instability given that
        • anterior bundle of the medial ulnar collateral ligament attaches to the sublime tubercle 18 mm distal to tip
        • anterior capsule attaches 6 mm distal to the tip of the coronoid
    • Associated conditions
      • posteromedial rotatory instability
        • results from a varus deforming force
      • posterolateral rotatory instability
        • coronoid tip fracture, radial head fracture, and LCL injury
      • olecranon fracture-dislocation
        • usually associated with a large coronoid fracture
      • terrible triad of elbow
        • coronoid fracture (transverse fracture pattern), radial head fracture, and elbow dislocation
  • Anatomy
    • Osteology
      • coronoid tip
        • is an intraarticular structure
        • can be visualized during elbow arthroscopy
      • medial facet
        • important for varus stability
        • provides insertion for the medial ulnar collateral ligament
    • Biomechanics
      • coronoid functions as an anterior buttress of the olecranon greater sigmoid notch
        • important in preventing recurrent posterior subluxation
      • primary resistor of elbow subluxation or dislocation
  • Classification
      • Regan and Morrey Classification
      • Type I
      • Coronoid process tip fracture
      • Type II
      • Fracture of 50% or less of height
      • Type III
      • Fracture of more than 50% of height
      • O'Driscoll Classification
      • - Subdivides coronoid injuries based on location and number of coronoid fragments
        -Recognizes anteromedial facet fractures caused by varus posteromedial rotatory force
  • Presentation
    • Symptoms
      • elbow deformity & swelling
      • elbow pain
      • forearm or wrist pain may be a sign of associated injuries
    • Physical exam
      • inspection & palpation
        • varus or valgus deformity
        • ecchymosis & swelling
        • diffuse tenderness
      • range of motion & instability
        • document flexion-extension and pronation-supination
          • crepitus should be noted
        • varus/valgus instability stress test
          • challenging but important for an accurate diagnosis
      • neurovascular exam
  • Imaging
    • Radiographs
      • recommended views
        • AP and lateral elbow views
      • findings
        • interpretation may be difficult due to overlapping structures
    • CT scan
      • useful for high grade injuries and comminuted fractures
  • Treatment
    • Nonoperative
      • brief period of immobilization, followed by early range of motion
        • indications
          • Type I, II, and III that are minimally displaced with stable elbow
    • Operative
      • ORIF with medial approach
        • indications
          • Type I, II, and III with persistent elbow instability
          • posteromedial rotatory instability
      • ORIF with posterior approach
        • indications
          • olecranon fracture dislocation
          • terrible triad of elbow
      • hinged external fixation
        • indications
          • large fragments
          • poor bone quality
          • difficult revision cases to help maintain stability
  • Techniques
    • ORIF with medial approach
      • approach
        • medial exposure through an interval between two heads of FCU
        • exposure more anteriorly through a split in flexor pronator mass
      • technique
        • cerclage wire or No. 5 suture through ulna drill holes for Type I injuries
        • ORIF with retrograde cannulated screws or plate for Type II or III injuries
        • ORIF with buttress plate fixation or pins and lateral ligament repair for posteromedial rotatory instability
      • postoperative rehabilitation
        • depends on intraoperative exam following the procedure
        • thermoplastic resting splint
          • applied with elbow at 90° and forearm in neutral
          • restrict terminal 30° extension for 2-4 weeks
        • avoid shoulder abduction for 4-6 weeks
          • to prevent varus moment on arm
        • early active motion
          • dynamic muscle contraction may improve gapping of the ulnohumeral joint after surgical repair
    • ORIF with posterior approach
      • approach
        • posterior
      • technique
        • mobilize olecranon fracture to access coronoid fracture for associated olecranon fracture-dislocations
        • repair coronoid fragment first prior to reducing main ulnar fracture
        • olecranon ORIF with dorsal plate and screws
  • Complications
    • Recurrent elbow instability
      • especially medial-sided
    • Elbow stiffness
    • Posttraumatic arthritis
    • Heterotopic ossification
    • Early failure
      • associated with failure to recognize and repair underlying elbow instability
  • Prognosis
    • Complications and reoperation rates are high
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(SBQ17SE.96) Figure A is the radiograph of a 43-year-old right hand dominant male presents to the ED following a ground level fall. On examination he has positive valgus stress, moving valgus stress, and milking maneuver. He has a negative lateral pivot shift. He is placed into a posterior splint with the forearm in full supination. Based on this patient's radiographs and clinical examination, which of the following best describes his primary instability?

QID: 212161
FIGURES:

Posteromedial rotatory instability with torn LUCL

39%

(337/866)

Posteromedial rotatory instability with intact LUCL

28%

(241/866)

Posterolateral rotatory instability with torn LUCL

23%

(201/866)

Posterolateral rotatory instability with intact LUCL

5%

(46/866)

Terrible triad of the elbow

4%

(34/866)

L 4 E

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(SBQ12TR.41.1) A 34-year-old male presents with elbow pain after sustaining a ground level fall 2 weeks ago. An injury radiograph is shown in Figure A. Which of the following provocative maneuvers will most likely be positive?

QID: 9107
FIGURES:

Lateral pivot shift test

16%

(373/2291)

Milking maneuver

27%

(624/2291)

Chair rise test

20%

(451/2291)

Posterior drawer test

3%

(63/2291)

Gravity-assisted varus stress test

33%

(761/2291)

L 5 A

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(SBQ12TR.88) When evaluating a fracture dislocation of the elbow, a varus and posteromedial rotation mechanism of injury typically results in what injury pattern?

QID: 4003

A fracture of the radial head requiring ORIF

4%

(142/3576)

A highly comminuted radial head fracture requiring radial head arthroplasty or resection

5%

(166/3576)

An MCL injury requiring repair

10%

(357/3576)

A type I avulsion fracture of the coronoid

6%

(201/3576)

An anteromedial coronoid fracture

75%

(2667/3576)

L 1 A

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(SBQ11UE.98) A 25-year-old male sustains a closed elbow dislocation after falling during a soccer game. Two months later, the patient continues to complain of pain and instability. Radiographs and physical exam are concerning for posteromedial instability. Which of the following fracture patterns is most consistent with this diagnosis?

QID: 4333

Coronoid tip

10%

(509/5140)

Coronoid anteromedial facet

82%

(4202/5140)

Radial head

4%

(214/5140)

Olecranon

2%

(80/5140)

Capitellar impaction injury

2%

(110/5140)

L 2 B

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(SBQ06TR.62) A 35-year-old zookeeper fell 10 feet while preparing an exhibit for a grand reopening, landing on his left arm. The patient is then evaluated by a keen orthopedic resident in the emergency room who describes the zookeeper's injuries to his chief. He describes a comminuted radial head fracture and posterolateral ulnohumeral dislocation. The chief resident orders a CT scan which demonstrates a coronoid fracture involving 50% the height with no involvement of the anteromedial facet. During surgery, the trauma surgeon replaces the radial head and repairs the lateral collateral ligament complex. The elbow is splinted in elbow flexion and pronation. The patient begins range of motion exercises with her occupational therapist 3 days after surgery, and her elbow dislocates. What is the most likely reason for her instability?

QID: 2674

Length of immobilization

4%

(64/1726)

Position of immobilization

2%

(37/1726)

Lack of coronoid fixation with medial buttress plate

17%

(290/1726)

Lack of coronoid fixation from lateral approach

62%

(1065/1726)

Lack of medial collateral ligament repair

14%

(244/1726)

L 4 C

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