Background: The shape of the capitellum has been traditionally described in anatomy books as part of a sphere. Alteration in the capitellar morphology following pathologies such as fractures, osteochondrosis, and degenerative arthritis has been associated with less optimum functional results. Aim: To define the relationship between the sphericity of the capitellar morphology as measured on trauma series plain radiographs and the elbow range of motion. Methods: 40 patients were included in the study. All patients recruited from the upper limb clinics presented with non-elbow joint-related complaints. The elbow range of motion was measured using a standardized technique. Digital anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of patients’ elbows were used to measure capitellar circularity using the ImageJ processing program and circularity calculation equation. Correlation analyses were conducted between the degree of capitellar sphericity and elbow range of motion. Results: The results of measurements from the anteroposterior radiographs showed a positive correlation between increased circularity and an increase in the range of flexion, pronation, and supination. The range of extension decreased with the increased circularity of the capitellum. This trend was repeated with measures of lateral radiographs but was statistically not significant. Conclusion: Native capitellar circularity has an impact on the elbow range of motion. This should be put into consideration when dealing with pathologies that affect capitellar morphology.
References
[1]
Martin, S. and Sanchez, E. (2013) Anatomy and Biomechanics of the Elbow Joint. Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology, 17, 429-436. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1361587
[2]
Alcid, J.G., Ahmad, C.S. and Lee, T.Q. (2004) Elbow Anatomy and Structural Biomechanics. Clinics in Sports Medicine, 23, 503-517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csm.2004.06.008
[3]
Claessen, F.M., Louwerens, J.K., Doornberg, J.N., van Dijk, C.N., Eygendaal, D. and van den Bekerom, M.P. (2015) Panner’s Disease: Literature Review and Treatment Recommendations. Journal of Children’s Orthopaedics, 9, 9-17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11832-015-0635-2
[4]
Sabo, M.T., Shannon, H., Ng, J., Ferreira, L.M., Johnson, J.A. and King, G.J. (2011) The Impact of Capitellar Arthroplasty on Elbow Contact Mechanics: Implications for Implant Design. Clinical Biomechanics, 26, 458-463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2011.01.007
[5]
Bland, J.M. and Altman, D.G. (1986) Statistical Methods for Assessing Agreement between Two Methods of Clinical Measurement. The Lancet, 327, 307-310. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(86)90837-8
[6]
Doube, M., Kłosowski, M.M., Arganda-Carreras, I., Cordelières, F.P., Dougherty, R.P., Jackson, J.S., Schmid, B., Hutchinson, J.R. and Shefelbine, S.J. (2010) BoneJ: Free and Extensible Bone Image Analysis in ImageJ. Bone, 47, 1076-1079. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bone.2010.08.023
[7]
Ruberto, C.D., Dempster, A.G., Khan, S. and Jarra, B. (2002) Analysis of Infected Blood Cell Images Using Morphological Operators. Image and Vision Computing, 20, 133-146. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0262-8856(01)00092-0
[8]
Cruz-Matías, I. and Ayala, D. (2013) Orientation, Sphericity and Roundness Evaluation of Particles Using Alternative 3D Representations. Nuclear Physics Review.
[9]
Shah, H., Siddesh, N.D., Pai, H., Tercier, S. and Joseph, B. (2013) Quantitative Measures for Evaluating the Radiographic Outcome of Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume, 95, 354-361. https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.L.00172
[10]
Mose, K. (1980) Methods of Measuring in Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease with Special Regard to the Prognosis. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 150, 103-109. https://doi.org/10.1097/00003086-198007000-00019
[11]
Cheng, J.C., Lam, T.P. and Ng, B.K. (2011) Prognosis and Prognostic Factors of Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, 31, S147-S151. https://doi.org/10.1097/BPO.0b013e318223b470
[12]
Bancroft, L.W., Pettis, C., Wasyliw, C. and Varich, L. (2013) Osteochondral Lesions of the Elbow. Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology, 17, 446-454. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1360665
[13]
Dubberley, J.H., Faber, K.J., Macdermid, J.C., Patterson, S.D. and King, G.J. (2006) Outcome after Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Capitellar and Trochlear Fractures. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume, 88, 46-54. https://doi.org/10.2106/00004623-200601000-00007
[14]
Steinmann, S.P. (2011) Hemiarthroplasty of the Ulnohumeral and Radiocapitellar Joints. Hand Clinics, 27, 229-232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hcl.2011.01.006