title: Articular osteotomy of the distal humerus and excision of extensive heterotopic ossification.
abstract: Prior case series of corrective osteotomy of substantial intra-articular malunion after a fracture of the distal humerus described concomitant heterotopic ossification in a subset of patient, but only in mild forms. We present our experience in treating two patients with malunited articular fractures of the distal humerus with extensive heterotopic ossification and near ankylosis where the lateral articular fragments were encased in heterotopic bone. Although osteotomy of articular malunion after distal humeral fracture along with excision of extensive HO is challenging and risky due to potential devitalization of the fragments, articular deterioration during the delay to osteotomy, and recurrence of heterotopic bone among other concerns, restoring articular congruity in these patients using articular fracture fragments extracted from heterotopic ossification can lead to improved function of the elbow.
authors: Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Yawkey Center, Suite 2100, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: agill2@mgh.harvard.edu.
authors: Aditya
authors: A
authors: Gill
authors: Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Yawkey Center, Suite 2100, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: jmellema@mgh.harvard.edu.
authors: Jos J
authors: JJ
authors: Mellema
authors: Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Yawkey Center, Suite 2100, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: memenendez@partners.org.
authors: Mariano E
authors: ME
authors: Menendez
authors: Chief of Hand Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Yawkey Center, Suite 2100, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: dring@mgh.harvard.edu.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Ring
mesh_terms: D004550:Elbow / Q000503:physiopathology; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D017759:Fractures, Malunited / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010027:Osteotomy; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Ankylosis; Distal humeral fracture; Elbow; Heterotopic ossification; Intra-articular malunion; Osteotomy