Journal List > J Korean Fract Soc > v.29(1) > 1038088

Yoo, Han, Byun, Jeong, and Shin: Functional Recovery of the Shoulder after Correcting Malrotation of the Distal Humerus: A Case Report

Abstract

Although studies on malrotation of the humerus possibly leading to dysfunction of the shoulder have been reported, studies on its causes are inadequate. The authors encountered a patient complaining of malrotation accompanied by dysfunction of the shoulder which occurred during treatment of a distal humeral fracture. The patient recovered the shoulder function by only correcting malrotation of the humerus without direct treatment on the shoulder, and we report it herein with a review of the literature.

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

(A) Initial radiographs show a comminuted open fracture of the distal humerus. (B) Radiographs after the emergency operation show open reduction and internal fixation with a long anatomical plate on the anterior aspect of the medial column and a short reconstruction plate on the lateral column.

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Fig. 2

Radiograph 7 months after the initial operation shows non-union of the distal humeral fracture with loss of reduction.

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Fig. 3

Photographs 7 months after the initial operation show the limitation of the right shoulder motion.

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Fig. 4

Bilateral anteroposterial radiographs (A) and bilateral (B) computed tomography scans show 45° of malrotation of the right humerus.

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Fig. 5

Intraoperative photographs show 45° of derotation with 2 K-wires.

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Fig. 6

Final radiographs 17 months after the operation show solid union without implant loosening and loss of reduction.

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Fig. 7

Photographs 2 years after the operation show a good functional result of the right shoulder.

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Notes

Financial support None.

Conflict of interest None.

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