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Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume, Vol 91-B, Issue 11, 1499-1504.
doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.91B11.21957  
Copyright © 2009 by British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery
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Mason type IV fractures of the elbow

A 14- TO 46-YEAR FOLLOW-UP STUDY

P. Herbertsson, MD, PhD, Orthopaedic Surgeon1; R. Hasserius, MD, PhD, Orthopaedic Surgeon1; P. O. Josefsson, MD, PhD, Orthopaedic Surgeon1; J. Besjakov, MD, PhD, Radiologist2; F. Nyquist, MD, PhD, Orthopaedic Surgeon1; A. Nordqvist, MD, PhD, Orthopaedic Surgeon1; and M. K. Karlsson, MD, PhD, Professor, Orthopaedic Surgeon1

1 Department of Orthopaedics
2 Department of Radiology, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, SE-205 02, Malmö, Sweden.

Correspondence should be sent to Professor M. K. Karlsson; e-mail: magnus.karlsson{at}med.lu.se

A total of 14 women and seven men with a mean age of 43 years (18 to 68) who sustained a Mason type IV fracture of the elbow, without an additional type II or III coronoid fracture, were evaluated after a mean of 21 years (14 to 46). Primary treatment included closed elbow reduction followed by immobilisation in a plaster in all cases, with an additional excision of the radial head in 11, partial resection in two and suturing of the annular ligament in two. Delayed radial head excision was performed in two patients and an ulnar nerve transposition in one. The uninjured elbows served as controls. Nine patients had no symptoms, 11 reported slight impairment, and one severe impairment of the elbow. Elbow flexion was impaired by a mean of 3° (SD 4) and extension by a mean of 9° (SD 4) (p < 0.01). None experienced chronic elbow instability or recurrent dislocation. There were more degenerative changes in the formerly injured elbows, but none had developed a reduction in joint space.

We conclude that most patients with a Mason type IV fracture of the elbow report a good long-term outcome.




eLetters:

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Mason type IV fractures
Adel Tavakkolizadeh, et al.
J Bone Joint Surg Br Online, 9 Nov 2009 [Full text]
Author's reply:
Magnus K. Karlsson
J Bone Joint Surg Br Online, 19 Nov 2009 [Full text]

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Hip, Knee, Trauma, Upper limb, Foot & Ankle, Paediatrics, Oncology, Spine, Arthroplasty, General