Treatment of Comminuted Fracture of the Distal Humerus by New Y-Anatomical Plate

Chun, Churl Hong; Kim, Sang Soe; Rowe, Sung Man; Moon, Eun Sun; Ko, Myoung Churl

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The characteristics of comminuted fractures of the distal end of the humerus in adult are severe comminution of bony fragments, loss of bony continuity and displaced fragments by muscle action. The ideal treatment is to reestabilish a normal elbow-that is to reestablish the articular congruity. the alignment and early motion as soon as pessible. But no matter what treatment is used perfect results are seldom obtained. The purpose of this study is to analyze the clinical results of the new Y-Anatomical plate, which has well adaptable and more malleable characteristics for the fracture of the distal humerus. MATERIALS AND NLETHEDS: The fracture types of the distal humerus were 5 supracondylar and 12 intercondylar, which were classified according to the Riseborugh & Radin classification 4 type II, 2 type III and 6 type IV. The patients who have been treated by new Y-Anatomical plate from September 3992 to January 1995.
RESULTS
Fourteen of the 17 cases(81.2%) were considered acceptable results for a mean follow-up 26 months study according to the functional motion of the elbow by Cassebaum and criteriae by Jupiter J.B.etc. The patient who did exercise the elbow joint within two weeks from post-operation, gathered better results than other patients who did it after four weeks from post-operation. Complications are nonunion, ankylosing elbow and metal failure.
CONCLUSION
In the study reported here, new Y-Anatomical plate was sufficiently obtained the anatomical reduction with stable fixation, so it would allow early motion of the elbow joint to be possible and decrease the complication compared to Tri-radiate plates. Also the most important indicator of end result was the starting time of physiothmpy.