Myung Jin Lee; Hyeon Jun Kim; Sung Keun Sohn; Kyu Yeol Lee; Sung Soo Kim; Chul Hong Kim; Lib Wang; Hyun Woo Sung

doi:10.12671/jkfs.2010.23.2.201

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Original Article
Clinical Outcome of Surgical Treatment for Intra-articular Distal Humerus Fracture: Myung Jin Lee, M.D., Hyeon Jun Kim, M.D., Sung Keun Sohn, M.D., Kyu Yeol Lee, M.D., Sung Soo Kim, M.D., Chul Hong Kim, M.D., Lib Wang, M.D., Hyun Woo Sung, M.D.; Journal of the Korean Fracture Society 2010;23(2):201-205.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2010.23.2.201
Published online: April 30, 2010

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Hyeon Jun Kim, M.D. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Dong-A University College of Medicine, 1, Dongdaesin-dong 3-ga, Seo-gu, Busan 602-715, Korea. Tel: 82-51-240-5167, Fax: 82-51-254-6757, campbellkim@naver.com

• Received: August 19, 2009 • Revised: March 9, 2010 • Accepted: March 24, 2010

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Abstract
REFERENCES

Abstract

Purpose
To evaluate functions of the elbow joint according to surgical approach, time to exercise, and type of fracture after surgical treatment for the intra-articular comminuted fracture of the distal humerus.
Materials and Methods
27 patients with the intra-articular comminuted fractures of the distal humerus underwent surgery from March, 2000 to January, 2007. We investigated the surgical approach, time for union, time to exercise and age. We also evaluated postoperative functions of the elbow joint according to the flexion contracture, the range of motion and the Mayo elbow performance score.
Results
The average follow-up period was 37 months and the average time for union was 14 weeks. The average range of flexion was 115 degrees, the average flexion contracture was 10 degrees, and the Mayo elbow performance score with average value of 85 point showed good clinical results. There were no statistically significant differences in functions of the elbow joint according to the operative method and age. However, patients with early postoperative exercise within 6 days showed statistically better outcomes than patients with postoperative exercise after 7 days. Type C1, 2 fractures showed statistically better results than the type C3 fracture.
Conclusion
Stable fixation and early exercise are required to prevent postoperative complications and restore functions of the elbow joint with an intra-articular comminuted fracture of the distal humerus.
Key words: Distal humerus, Intra-articular fracture, Surgical treatment

REFERENCES

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Fig. 1

42-year-old female sustained the distal humerus fracture.

(A) Preoperative radiographs show the comminuted intra-articular fracture of the distal humerus (AO classification type C3).

(B) Postoperative radiographs show stable fixation. A reconstruction plate and headless screw were fixated through transolecranon approach.

(C) At follow-up of 12 months, a reconstruction plate was removed.

Table 1

The relationship between surgical approach and postoperative functions of the elbow joint

^*Mayo elbow performance score.

Table 2

The relationship between age and postoperative functions of the elbow joint

^*Mayo elbow performance score.

Table 3

The relationship between fracture type and postoperative functions of the elbow joint

^*Mayo elbow performance score.

Table 4

The relationship between time to exercise and postoperative functions of the elbow joint

^*Mayo elbow performance score.

Figure & Data

REFERENCES

Citations

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Surgical Treatment Using a Transolecranon Approach with a Dual Locking Plate for Unstable Intercondylar Fractures of the Humerus
Ji-Kang Park, Yong-Min Kim, Dong-Soo Kim, Eui-Sung Choi, Hyun-Chul Shon, Kyoung-Jin Park, Byung-Ki Cho
Journal of the Korean Fracture Society.2012; 25(2): 129. CrossRef

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Clinical Outcome of Surgical Treatment for Intra-articular Distal Humerus Fracture

J Korean Fract Soc. 2010;23(2):201-205. Published online April 30, 2010

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2010.23.2.201

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Clinical Outcome of Surgical Treatment for Intra-articular Distal Humerus Fracture

Fig. 1 42-year-old female sustained the distal humerus fracture. (A) Preoperative radiographs show the comminuted intra-articular fracture of the distal humerus (AO classification type C3). (B) Postoperative radiographs show stable fixation. A reconstruction plate and headless screw were fixated through transolecranon approach. (C) At follow-up of 12 months, a reconstruction plate was removed.

Fig. 1

Clinical Outcome of Surgical Treatment for Intra-articular Distal Humerus Fracture

Table 1

The relationship between surgical approach and postoperative functions of the elbow joint

^*Mayo elbow performance score.

Table 2

The relationship between age and postoperative functions of the elbow joint

^*Mayo elbow performance score.

Table 3

The relationship between fracture type and postoperative functions of the elbow joint

^*Mayo elbow performance score.

Table 4

The relationship between time to exercise and postoperative functions of the elbow joint

^*Mayo elbow performance score.

Table 1 The relationship between surgical approach and postoperative functions of the elbow joint

^*Mayo elbow performance score.

Table 2 The relationship between age and postoperative functions of the elbow joint

^*Mayo elbow performance score.

Table 3 The relationship between fracture type and postoperative functions of the elbow joint

^*Mayo elbow performance score.

Table 4 The relationship between time to exercise and postoperative functions of the elbow joint