J Korean Fract Soc.  2011 Jul;24(3):243-248.

Operative Treatment of Distal Humeral Comminuted Fractures with Orthogonal Plating

• Seo JB
• Yoo JS

Abstract

PURPOSE
To analyze the results of operative treatment for Comminuted Fracture of Distal Humerus with Transolecranon approach and Orthogonal plating.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The subjects were 22 patients with Comminuted fracture of humerus who were treated with Orthogonal plating. Patient's age, sex, type of fracture, surgical approach, method of fixation, time of operation, time of bony union, complication, range of motion were investigated, and Function of elbow was evaluated by functional evaluation of Riseborough and Radin, Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS).
RESULTS
Age, sex, injuried arm, operation time were not related to postoperative result. Type C2 fractures showed better results in function and range of motion (ROM) than type C3 fractures. Also early rehabilitation was important to functional recovery and ROM. The postoperative ROM was average 110. Good were 16 cases, fair were 6 cases in functional evaluation of Riseborough and Radin. Excellent were 13 cases, good were 8 cases, fair was 1 case in MEPS.
CONCLUSION
Operative treatment with Transolecranon approach and Orthogonal plating showed favorable result on its function. Intraarticular comminution and early rehabilitation were closely related to postoperative function of elbow.

Keyword

Humerus; Distal humerus comminuted fracture; Orthogonal plating; Transolecranon approach

MeSH Terms

Arm
Elbow
Fractures, Comminuted
Humans
Humerus
Range of Motion, Articular

Figure

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  Fig. 1 (A) Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of elbow in a 40-year-old man show intercondylar comminuted fracture of distal humerus (AO C3 type). (B) Follow up anteroposterior and lateral radiographs 20weeks after operation show bony union without complication.

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