J Korean Orthop Assoc.  1984 Apr;19(2):373-381. 10.4055/jkoa.1984.19.2.373.

Treatment of Comminuted Fracture of Distal Humerus in Adults

• Kang CS
• Pyun YS
• Shon SW
• Kwon YC

• KMID: 2446626
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.1984.19.2.373

Abstract

The majority of fractures of the distal humerus in adults involves the articular surface and also shows the shape of T or Y type and comminuted fracture, this type of fracture is rare in human fractures. The fracture of the distal humerus occurs more frequently in adults than children and has more complications and is more difficult to treat. There are various rnethods of treatments. The Orthopedic Surgery dept of Keimyung Univ. School of medicine has carried out the follow-up studies among 26 cases of inpatients with comminuted fractures, of the distal humerus (who have been admitted to the hospital) from the period beginning Jan, 1978 to May, 1983, and the results are as follows: 1. There were more frequently occured in male (53.8%), and mean age was 43.5 years. 2. There were no bilateral fractures and more common in right side (57.7%) 3. Traffic accidents were the most frequent cause (46.1%), followed by slipping down(38.5%), falls from height, and athletic injuries. 4. The Tyte IIl (50.0%) was most common by Riseborough and Radin classification followed by the order of type IV, type II and type I . 5. In the case of operative treatment, the duration of immobilization took a shorter period than with conservative treatment and the former showed a relatively good prognosis. 6. Better prognosis was obtained by using K-wire fixation, especially in the case of severe comminuted type IV fracture.

Keyword

Treatment; Fracture; Distal humerus; Comminuted

MeSH Terms

Accidental Falls
Accidents, Traffic
Adult*
Athletic Injuries
Child
Classification
Follow-Up Studies
Fractures, Comminuted*
Humans
Humerus*
Immobilization
Inpatients
Male
Orthopedics
Prognosis