Journal of Musculoskeletal Trauma

Open reduction and internal fixation for distal humerus fractures in older adults: a retrospective comparative study by osteoporosis status: Tong Joo Lee, Hee Beom Shin, Yongseok Lee; J Musculoskelet Trauma 2026;39(3):227-235. Published online July 15, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jmt.2026.00101

Abstract PDF: Background
Distal humerus fractures in older patients, particularly those with osteoporosis, pose substantial treatment challenges because of increased fracture complexity and compromised bone stock. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is the preferred treatment but may be complicated by fixation failure. This study investigated the outcomes of ORIF in older osteoporotic and nonosteoporotic patients with complete articular distal humerus fractures.
Methods
This retrospective study included 19 patients with Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/ Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) 13C distal humerus fractures who underwent surgical treatment between 2012 and 2024. The mean patient age was 79.1 years. Patients were divided into osteoporotic (n=11) and nonosteoporotic (n=8) groups based on the lowest recorded dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry T-score at the femoral neck or lumbar spine. Osteoporosis was defined as a T-score of −2.5 or lower, and the nonosteoporotic group included patients with osteopenia. All fractures were treated with ORIF using bicolumnar plating. All included patients completed 12 months of clinical follow-up for visual analog scale (VAS) and Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) assessments. Radiographic follow-up was recorded separately and continued until union was confirmed; imaging follow-up extended to 12 months or longer in 14 patients and was limited to 6 months in five asymptomatic patients after confirmed union.
Results
Both groups showed significant within-group improvement in pain, as assessed using the VAS, and function, as assessed using the MEPS, over time. Between-group comparisons at each follow-up time point showed no statistically significant differences in VAS or MEPS. No radiographic nonunion was observed during the available imaging follow- up, and complications were limited to one case of screw pullout/loosening and one case of postoperative stiffness.
Conclusions
ORIF provides reliable outcomes for older patients with complex distal humerus fractures, regardless of osteoporosis status, when stable reconstruction is achievable. These findings suggest that ORIF remains a viable treatment option, with satisfactory functional recovery and low complication rates in this population. Level of evidence: III.

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Reduction and Percutaneous Pinning of Displaced Supracondylar Fracture of the Humerus in Children: Won Yoo Kim, Jin Young Kim, Kun Young Park, Chong Hoon Park, Hwa Sung Lee; J Korean Soc Fract 1994;7(2):471-479. Published online November 30, 1994; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jksf.1994.7.2.471

Abstract PDF: Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning of displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children yielded simple fracture management, less neurological and vascular complications, reduced hospitalization day and increased satisfactory out-comes. We treated twenty-seven cases of these fractures(extension type : twenty-five cases) by such a method. The accurate closed reduction of a supracondylar fracture could be obtained and confirmed by image intensifier. The maintanence of a reduction was stabilized by application of K-wires. Our study showed that the limitation of range of motion of the elbow joint was not signifiint(three cases, below ten degrees extension block and changes of carrying angle was also minimal three cases, below ten degrees). In twenty-seven cases, excellent results were recorded in 93% on at least on year follow-up.

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Surgical Treatment of Concomitant Ipsilateral Humerus and Forearm Fractures: Jeung Tak Suh, Sung Hun Kim, Chong Il Yoo; J Korean Soc Fract 1994;7(2):316-321. Published online November 30, 1994; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jksf.1994.7.2.316

Abstract PDF: The term "floating elbow" refers to concomitant ipsilateral humeral and forearm bone fractures. This type of fractures is relatively rare and has few guidelines for treatment. Author reviewed 14 cases of these fractures which were treated by open reduction and rigid internal fixation in Pusan National University Hospital from January 1983 to January 1993. In follow up study, Author obtained that good results in 10 cases(71%) of patient, and fair results in 3 cases of patient. Author advocate the patient with concomitant ipsilateral humerus and forearm bone fractures should requires open reduction and stable internal fixation of the both humerus and forearm bone, as soon as possible.

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