Article

In the Outerbridge-Kashiwagi ulnohumeral arthroplasty, bone strength may be
weakened significantly as a result of the humeral fenestration. Therefore,
fracture risks may be increased, particularly in the immediate postoperative
period. The objective of this biomechanical cadaver study is to study the humeral
bone strength after ulnohumeral arthroplasty. A biomechanical cadaveric study was
done in which differences in force needed to fracture the humerus with and
without fenestration was measured. First, the diaphysis of 12 distal humeri was
embedded and a posterior force was applied until a fracture occurred. Second, a
similar study was done with fixed humeral columns, to specifically compare the
column strength. In the first part, the force needed to fracture was reduced by
17% after ulnohumeral arthroplasty, which was not statistically significant.
However, a shift in the fracture pattern occurred: from diaphyseal fracture
towards column fractures after the arthroplasty. In the second part, the force
needed to fracture the columns proved to be significantly reduced by 41% after
humeral perforation. Alterations in the biomechanical properties of the distal
humerus after ulnohumeral arthroplasty may lead to a shift in fracture patterns
from diaphyseal to column fractures. The strength of the columns is strongly
reduced by 41%.
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Langue : ANGLAIS