Capitellum fracture
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Botz B, Elfeky M, Bell D, et al. Capitellum fracture. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 22 Jan 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-72091
Permalink:
rID:
72091
Article created:
7 Nov 2019,
Bálint Botz
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Bálint Botz had no recorded disclosures.
View Bálint Botz's current disclosures
Last revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Mostafa Elfeky had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Mostafa Elfeky's current disclosures
Revisions:
9 times, by
8 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Synonyms:
- Hahn-Steinthal fracture
- Kocher-Lorenz fracture
- Broberg-Morrey fracture
Capitellum fractures are uncommon, but their prompt diagnosis and management are crucial due to the severity of the consequent functional impairment resulting from these intra-articular elbow fractures.
On this page:
Epidemiology
Capitellar fractures are relatively rare, with approximately 3-4% of distal humerus fractures falling into this category 1.
Pathology
Mechanism
Direct axial compression force applied to the elbow or fall to an outstretched hand are the most common injury mechanisms.
Radiographic features
The extent of capitellar fractures is often underestimated on plain film, while non-displaced or osteochondral lesions can even remain occult. Thus, CT is usually warranted for evaluation and classification, and to aid surgical planning 2. In case of displaced fractures, McKee's eponymous double-arc sign is often visible on lateral radiographs where the two separately visible arcs represent the displaced capitellum and the trochlea 3.
Classification
Multiple systems exist for characterizing fractures of the capitellum, the most commonly used one being the modified Bryan and Morrey system 1,4:
- type I (Hahn-Steinthal fracture): complete osteochondral fracture of the capitellum; the trochlea can also be involved
- type II (Kocher-Lorenz fracture): anterior osteochondral shear fracture with minimal subchondral bony involvement
- type III (Broberg-Morrey fracture): compressed or comminuted fracture of the capitellum
- type IV: coronal shear fracture involving the capitellum and extending to the trochlea
Treatment and prognosis
Since capitellar fractures are intra-articular, open surgical reduction and internal fixation, or excision of the displaced fragment is often warranted. For some non-displaced fractures, conservative management with splint immobilization is considered appropriate 1. It is important to be aware that capitellar fractures are commonly associated with radial head fractures, and occasionally with a terrible triad injury pattern 2.
See also
Quiz questions
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References
- 1. Nick G. Lasanianos, Konstantinos Makridis. Capitellum Fractures. (2019) Digestive diseases and sciences. 63 (12): 67. doi:10.1007/978-1-4471-6572-9_16 - Pubmed
- 2. Valentin Rausch, Matthias Königshausen, Thomas A. Schildhauer, Jan Gessmann, Dominik Seybold. Fractures of the capitellum humeri and their associated injuries. (2018) Obere Extremität. 13 (1): 33. doi:10.1007/s11678-018-0441-9 - Pubmed
- 3. Coronal Shear Fractures of the Distal End of the Humerus*. (1996) The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery-american Volume. 78 (1): 49. doi:10.2106/00004623-199601000-00007 - Pubmed
- 4. Type 4 capitellum fractures: Diagnosis and treatment strategies. (2009) Indian Journal of Orthopaedics. 43 (3): 286. doi:10.4103/0019-5413.53460 - Pubmed
Incoming Links
Cases:
Multiple choice questions:
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