Refracture of Forearm Bone after Plate Removal

Sohn, Sung Keun; Kim, Byeong Hwan; Lee, Sang Ki

Abstract

PURPOSE
: To evaluate the results of operative treatment for intercondylar fracture of the distal humerus in adults.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
: From February 1994 to June 1998, 15 patients with more than one year follow-up periods were treated by operative method at Sun General Hospital. 12 of them were treated by open reduction and internal fixation(dual plate for 8, screw & K-wire for 4) and 3 of them by open reduction & Ilizarov fixation. Open or closed fracture and AO classification of fracture were considerd as a prognostic factor. The functional results were analyzed by Jupiter's critera.
RESULTS
: There were 2 excellent, 2 good in C1 type, one excellent, 2 good, one fair and 2 poor in C2 type, and one excellent, 2 good, 2 poor in C3 type. And there were one good and one poor in 2 open fractures and 4 excellent, 5 good, one fair and 3 poor in closed fractures. The average range of motion of the elbow joint was 85 degrees(30 degrees-115 degrees). Overall results show excellent and good in 67%(10 of 15) and poor in 27%(4 of 15).
CONCLUSION
: It's not easy to get satisfactory results in treatment for intercondylar fracture of the distal humerus We suggest that more efforts are needed to get anatomical reduction, rigid internal fixation and early joint motion in interconylar fracture of the distal humerus.