Bernard F. Morrey, MD
Material Covered:
Allowing an elbow to move while the soft issues around it heals presents a challenge to the surgeon. Dr. Bernie Morrey, Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Mayo Clinic designed the dynamic joint distractor now marketed by Howmedca.
The major indications for use of this device include releasing of a stiff elbow especially in cases of significant dissection, lack of cartilage, joint refashioning, and placement of interposing membrane. In addition, the distraction device can be used in posttraumatic conditions exhibiting instability due to coronoid and/or radial head fracture. The dynamic joint distractor presented in this VJO segment allows a uniform separation of the ulna and humerus. The key placement of the pins allows replication of the axis of rotation. The percutaneous device involves accurately placing ulnar pins parallel to a humeral transfixing pin.
In the case presented, the patient was in a motor vehicle accident three years ago and had undergone previous surgery, was referred to Dr. Morrey due to pain and limited motion. The procedure involves removing ectopic bone and the anterior and posterior capsules, harvesting a graft to interpose over the humerus, and applying the distraction device to reconstruct the anatomical axis of rotation and allow motion while permitting the soft tissues to heal.
Specifications
- Total Run Time: 20:33 minutes
- Catalog Number: 2507
- VJO Publication Date: August, 1995