Reconstruction of an Ulnohumeral Joint in a Young Patient with Iatrogenic Joint Fusion: A Case Report

Lee,  Chang Hun; Oh,  Hwang Kyun; Lee,  Bong Gun; Lee,  Kwang Hyun

doi:2017.22.4.261

Arch Hand Microsurg > Volume 22(4); 2017 > Article

Case Report

Archives of Hand and Microsurgery 2017;22(4):261-267.
Published online December 1, 2017.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12790/ahm.2017.22.4.261

Reconstruction of an Ulnohumeral Joint in a Young Patient with Iatrogenic Joint Fusion: A Case Report

Chang-Hun Lee¹, Hwang-Kyun Oh¹, Bong Gun Lee², Kwang-Hyun Lee²

¹Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University, Seoul, Korea.
²Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. leegh@hanyang.ac.kr

Received: 25 July 2017 • Revised: 29 September 2017 • Accepted: 19 October 2017

Abstract

Elbow arthrodesis is a predictable salvage surgery for advanced elbow joint disease. However, iatrogenic joint fusion impaired activity of daily living. In the presented case, a young woman suffered from an iatrogenic joint fusion which developed after several surgeries for comminuted intercondylar fracture of distal humerus. We tried to reconstruct the ulnohumeral joint, as she was too young to have a total elbow arthroplasty. Finally, she regained the motion of elbow and satisfied with the clinical outcome after two consecutive operations. We described the process of recovery and summarized the pearls and pitfalls.

Key Words: Reconstruction, Ulnohumeral joint, Iatrogenic joint fusion