Treatment of Intercondylar Fracture of Distal Humerus in Adult

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate and report the clinical results of the treatment of distal humerus intercondylar fractures treated with internal fixation through the modified posterior approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1999 to October 2003, 20 patient who had intercondyle fracture of the distal humerus treated with internal fixation through the modified posterior approach. We evaluated bone union, complication, postoperative elbow function. RESULTS: The average follow up period was 12.8 months. Nearly all most cases united at 14 weeks in an average. There were two neuropraxia and two hardware failure. The range of the elbow joint motion was flexion contracture 8 degree (5~15 degree) to further flextion 120 degree (75~140 degree) in average. The functional result with Riseborough and Radin's functional scale were as follows; 13 good, 4 fair, 3 poor. CONCLUSION: Not with severe comminuted like type C3 fracture, but in cases with intercondylar distal humerus fracture the modified posterior approach provided satisfactory exposure for open reduction and rigid internal fixation with satisfactory bone union. There was satisfactory bone union and good clinical result in postoperative elbow function.