PURPOSE To evaluate the clinical outcomes of operative treatment using a transolecranon approach with a dual locking plate for unstable intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighteen patients were followed for more than 1 year after surgical treatment for unstable intercondylar fractures of the humerus. Anterior transpositioning of the ulnar nerve and an early rehabilitation program to allow range of motion (ROM) exercise from postoperative week 1 were used for all cases. The clinical and functional evaluation was performed according to the Mayo Elbow Performance Index and Cassebaum's classification of ROM. RESULTS The range of elbow joint motion was a flexion contracture mean of 12.8 degrees to a further flexion mean of 119.3 degrees at the final follow-up. The Mayo Elbow Performance Index was an average of 88.5 points. Among the results, 6 were excellent, 9 good, 2 fair, and 1 poor. Therefore, 15 cases (83.3%) achieved satisfactory results. Fourteen cases (77.7%) achieved a satisfactory ROM according to Cassebaum's classification. All cases achieved bone union, and the interval to union was an average of 14.2 weeks. CONCLUSION Dual locking plate fixation through the transolecranon approach seems to be one of the effective treatment methods for unstable intercondylar fractures of the humerus because it enables the anatomical reduction and rigid fixation of articulation, and early rehabilitation exercise.
PURPOSE To analyze the results of operative treatment for Comminuted Fracture of Distal Humerus with Transolecranon approach and Orthogonal plating. MATERIALS AND METHODS The subjects were 22 patients with Comminuted fracture of humerus who were treated with Orthogonal plating. Patient's age, sex, type of fracture, surgical approach, method of fixation, time of operation, time of bony union, complication, range of motion were investigated, and Function of elbow was evaluated by functional evaluation of Riseborough and Radin, Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). RESULTS Age, sex, injuried arm, operation time were not related to postoperative result. Type C2 fractures showed better results in function and range of motion (ROM) than type C3 fractures. Also early rehabilitation was important to functional recovery and ROM. The postoperative ROM was average 110. Good were 16 cases, fair were 6 cases in functional evaluation of Riseborough and Radin. Excellent were 13 cases, good were 8 cases, fair was 1 case in MEPS. CONCLUSION Operative treatment with Transolecranon approach and Orthogonal plating showed favorable result on its function. Intraarticular comminution and early rehabilitation were closely related to postoperative function of elbow.
PURPOSE To analyze the clinical outcomes of surgical treatment of distal humerus intercondylar fractures through the transolecranon approach combined with anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eight patients who had distal humerus intercondylar fractures were included in this study and underwent operative treatment through the transolecranon approach for sufficient operative field with anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve and fixed with reconstruction plate. RESULTS The results were evaluated using Riseborough and Radin rating criteria. Seven cases of eight cases were achieved good results with flexion contracture less than 30 degrees and forward flexion more than 115 degrees. However, one case was acheived poor result with 40 degrees of flexion contractue and 70 degrees of forward flexion. There were no the compressive ulnar neuropathy. CONCLUSION We found the transolecranon approach and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve a viable option for surgical treatment of the distal humerus intercondylar fractures
Fracture of the distal humerus is rare, so the surgeons experience is limited. This injuries represent a constellation of complex articular fractures and anatomic complexity of distal humerus makes surgical treatment, open reduction and internal fixation is difficult. We analyze the clinical result of immediate open reduction, rigid internal fixation, and early postoperative motion. From Nov. 1990 to Sep. 1997, the authors analyzed the clinical results of 5 cases those who underwent operative treatment using transolecranon approach, internal fixation with Y plate and early motion for comminuted distal humeral intercondylar fracture. ROM exercise was started at average 2.2 weeks postoperatively. 4 of 5 patients obtained satisfactory results by Riseborough and Radin rating criteria. One patient obtained poor result of 40 degree flexion contracture and 90 degree further flexion of elbow. Transolecranon approach makes the complete anatomic reduction of articular surface possible and the satisfactory results is associated with immediate, complete anatomic reduction and rigid fixation in conjuction with early postoperative motion.
We had studied the results of operative treatments in twenty-seven interconylar fractures of the distal end of the humerus over a ten-year period retrospectively. From march 1989 to February 1996, 27 patients were included in this study. The fracture patterns were classified according to the system of Muller et al. and evaluated the results of the involved elbow by Jupiter's scale. The mean follow-up was 47.8 months. The operation method was open reduction by wide exposure and transolecranon approach and internal fixation between two condyles by cancellous screw or Hebert screw and two reconstruction plate rectangularly each other. Among 27, 17 were men and left elbow were 15. The mean average age was 50.2 (23- 72)years old. The most common injury mechanism was direct trauma in 18 cases(62.9%). By Muller classification C3 type were 12 cases(44.4%), while C1 were 5 cases and C2 were 5 cases and C2 were 10 cases. At last follow-up the elow ROM was average flexion angle 107 degrees(18 to 125 degrees). Except intolerable pain and partial stiffness of elbow, the postoperative complications were 4 cases ; dsyesthia of ulnar nerve were 2, infection were 1, and heterotopic ossification was 1 case. The results of excellent and good were 20 cases(74.1%). In 7 cases of fair and poor results, C3 were 4 cases and C2 were 2 cases. It was concluded that the transolecranon approach and dual-plate fixation on humerus for fractures of the intercondyle of the humerus was satisfactory and necessary to effort of rigid fixation and a early rehabilitation after operation as possible.
The intercondylar fracture of distal humerus in adult is difficult to treat. Because it is difficult to obtain accurate anatomical reduction atd rigid internal fixation due to comminution and intraarticular components.
The authors review the 13 cases of intercondylar fracture of the distal humerus in adult that were treated at the orthopaedic department of Sung Ae Hospital, from JAN 1988 to JUN 1992, and the result are as follows: 1. It was frequently occured in 3rd and 4th decades active male and old female over 60 years old.
2. We think that cast hinge elbow brace is recommendable method for improvement of elbow ROM through early active motion.
3. For accurate anatomical reduction and rigid internal fixation, transolecranon approach is recommended for the suffcient exposure of the articular surface.