Volume : 4, Issue : 11, November - 2015

A study of outcome of distal humerus fracture fixation by various methods.

Dr. Parag Tank, Dr. Nitin Patel

Abstract :

<p>Background : Distal humeral fractures in adults often pose a challenge to the orthopaedic sur geon. The chevron modification of the olecranon osteotomy affords excellent surgical exposure of the joint surface for fractures with an intra-articular component. When two plates are used to fix the lateral and medial distal humeral columns, it is best to orient them so that, when looked at in cross section, they are at right angles to each other. The achievement and maintenance of an anatomic reduction secure enough to permit early functional, pain-free motion of the elbow can be best ensured by open reduction and internal fixation with careful attention to detail. Aim : To evaluate anatomical and functional outcome and impact of fixation related complications after fixation with two approaches of distal humerus fracture &amp; to know which technique is better for stable fixation and early mobilisation. Material &amp; methods : A prospective study of 30 cases of comminuted supracondylar / intercondylar fracture of distal humerus of Riseborough &amp; Radin type III &amp; IV treated with two standard approaches and hardware. Results : we studied patients between 18 years to 70 years of age with mean age 52 year. Among them 15 were male patients and 15 were females. We observed paratricipital approach good for extra-articular and partial articular &amp; olecranon osteotomy approach for intraarticular distal humerus fractures. Mayo elbow performance score good to excellent for both approaches with rigid fixation with dual plating with early mobilisation and minimum post operative complications.</p>