A specific closed percutaneous technique for reduction of Jeffery type II lesion

Abstract

Open reduction is commonly recommended in Jeffery type II fractures. Attempts to reduce these fractures percutaneously were reported as unsafe and unreliable. We revisited this technique and used a specific percutaneous reduction that turned out to be successful in two cases. Instead of lifting the radial head as described in leverage maneuver, we use a pushing-back procedure to reduce the fracture. The maneuver aims at suppressing the capitellum interposition between the head fragment and the metaphysis by reproducing the reversed trajectory of trauma. This reduction is made possible because of the posterior periosteal attachment of the radial head. A few weeks after the procedure, the two patients remained painless, recovered a complete range of motion in prono-supination and returned to sports. In these two cases, the procedure used led to a prompt recovery and provided a much better outcome than described with the classic open approach.