Adduction contracture of the shoulder due to fibrous long head of the triceps in children

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the clinical and functional results of surgical treatment for fibrous long head of the triceps in children. Materials and methods Data were analyzed from 32 patients (38 shoulders) aged over 5 years of age from August 1995 to December 2004. The adduction contracture, elbow flexed angles when the scapula was held in the chest wall, and scapulo-humeral angles in radiographs were measured. Surgical release of the long head of the triceps was performed. Results There were 22 females and 10 males in this study. Bilateral shoulder involvement was found in six patients. Only the right shoulder was involved in 5 patients, and only the left in 21 patients. All 32 patients (38 shoulders) developed adduction contracture of the shoulder after repeated intramuscular injection of antibiotic(s) into the long head of the triceps. Thirty-four shoulders (29 patients) were classified as severe, and four shoulders (3 patients) were classified as moderate. In all, we attained excellent results in 36 shoulders (94.7%) and good results in two shoulders (5.3%). There have been no fair or poor results or complications so far. Conclusion Generally, surgical treatment of adduction contracture of the shoulder has achieved good results, with improved shoulder function. Releasing the long head of the triceps is a simple and safe surgical technique.