J Korean Fract Soc.  2010 Apr;23(2):201-205. 10.12671/jkfs.2010.23.2.201.

Clinical Outcome of Surgical Treatment for Intra-articular Distal Humerus Fracture

• Lee MJ
• Kim HJ
• Sohn SK
• Lee KY
• Kim SS
• Kim CH
• Wang L
• Sung HW

• KMID: 1461548
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2010.23.2.201

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate functions of the elbow joint according to surgical approach, time to exercise, and type of fracture after surgical treatment for the intra-articular comminuted fracture of the distal humerus.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
27 patients with the intra-articular comminuted fractures of the distal humerus underwent surgery from March, 2000 to January, 2007. We investigated the surgical approach, time for union, time to exercise and age. We also evaluated postoperative functions of the elbow joint according to the flexion contracture, the range of motion and the Mayo elbow performance score.
RESULTS
The average follow-up period was 37 months and the average time for union was 14 weeks. The average range of flexion was 115 degrees, the average flexion contracture was 10 degrees, and the Mayo elbow performance score with average value of 85 point showed good clinical results. There were no statistically significant differences in functions of the elbow joint according to the operative method and age. However, patients with early postoperative exercise within 6 days showed statistically better outcomes than patients with postoperative exercise after 7 days. Type C1, 2 fractures showed statistically better results than the type C3 fracture.
CONCLUSION
Stable fixation and early exercise are required to prevent postoperative complications and restore functions of the elbow joint with an intra-articular comminuted fracture of the distal humerus.

Keyword

Distal humerus; Intra-articular fracture; Surgical treatment

MeSH Terms

Contracture
Elbow
Elbow Joint
Follow-Up Studies
Fractures, Comminuted
Humans
Humerus
Intra-Articular Fractures
Postoperative Complications
Range of Motion, Articular

Figure

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  Fig. 1 42-year-old female sustained the distal humerus fracture. (A) Preoperative radiographs show the comminuted intra-articular fracture of the distal humerus (AO classification type C3). (B) Postoperative radiographs show stable fixation. A reconstruction plate and headless screw were fixated through transolecranon approach. (C) At follow-up of 12 months, a reconstruction plate was removed.

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