J Korean Fract Soc.  2006 Jan;19(1):56-61. 10.12671/jkfs.2006.19.1.56.

Elbow Function and Complications after Internal Fixation for Fractures of the Distal Humerus

• Ahn HS
• Cho YH
• Byun YS
• Kwon DY
• Nam SO
• Kim DY

• KMID: 2063824
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2006.19.1.56

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the functional results of the elbow and the complications after internal fixation for distal humeral fractures.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We reviewed 38 distal humeral fractures; 12 type A, 7 type B and 19 type C by AO classification. There were six low columnar fractures in type A and nine in type C. Six type C fractures were open. The fracture healing and complications were assessed and the functional result was evaluated by rating system of Jupiter et al.
RESULTS
Type A fractures were healed in an average of 10.6 weeks, type B 7.7 weeks and type C 11.5 weeks. Ulnar neuropathy occurred in six cases, loss of fixation in two cases, nonunion in one case, heterotopic ossification in one case and traumatic arthritis in one case. The functional result showed excellent or good in 34 cases (89%) and fair or poor in 4 cases (11%). Open fractures showed significantly worse result than closed fractures.
CONCLUSION
To obtain the satisfactory results, stable fixation followed by early motion is required in most distal humeral fractures. Ulnar neuropathy occurs postoperatively in high incidence and the result of open fractures is worse than that of closed fractures.

Keyword

Distal humerus; Fracture; Internal fixation; Elbow function; Complication

MeSH Terms

Arthritis
Classification
Elbow*
Fracture Healing
Fractures, Closed
Fractures, Open
Humeral Fractures
Humerus*
Incidence
Ossification, Heterotopic
Ulnar Neuropathies