TY - JOUR
T1 - Outcomes following distal humeral fracture fixation with an extensor mechanism-on approach
AU - Erpelding, Jason M.
AU - Mailander, Adam
AU - High, Robin
AU - Mormino, Matthew A.
AU - Fehringer, Edward V.
PY - 2012/3/21
Y1 - 2012/3/21
N2 - Background: Distal humeral fractures have traditionally been managed with surgical approaches that disrupt the extensor mechanism. We hypothesized that an extensor mechanism-on approach for operative fixation of distal humeral fractures with parallel or orthogonal plate constructs would allow excellent healing, a motion arc of the elbow exceeding 100°, and maintenance of extensor mechanism strength. Methods: Distal humeral open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) was performed with either orthogonal or parallel plate constructs in seventy-nine elbows. Thirty-seven elbows were fixed via an extensor mechanism-on surgical approach, and twenty-four of them were available for additional evaluation. Radiographs as well as MEPI (Mayo Elbow Performance Index), DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand), and SF-36 (Short Form-36) scores were obtained. Results: All thirty-seven fractures healed primarily. Three elbows underwent later release because of stiffness. The median arc of elbow motion was 126° (range, 60° to 141°). The mean MEPI was 91.5 points and the mean DASH score was 15.9 points, indicating excellent scores with mild impairment. The median percent loss of triceps strength was 10% (range, 0% to 49%) compared with the contralateral, normal elbow. Conclusions: Open treatment of distal humeral fractures with an extensor mechanism-on approach results in excellent healing, a mean elbow flexion-extension arc exceeding 100°, and maintenance of 90% of elbow extension strength compared with that of the contralateral, normal elbow. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
AB - Background: Distal humeral fractures have traditionally been managed with surgical approaches that disrupt the extensor mechanism. We hypothesized that an extensor mechanism-on approach for operative fixation of distal humeral fractures with parallel or orthogonal plate constructs would allow excellent healing, a motion arc of the elbow exceeding 100°, and maintenance of extensor mechanism strength. Methods: Distal humeral open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) was performed with either orthogonal or parallel plate constructs in seventy-nine elbows. Thirty-seven elbows were fixed via an extensor mechanism-on surgical approach, and twenty-four of them were available for additional evaluation. Radiographs as well as MEPI (Mayo Elbow Performance Index), DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand), and SF-36 (Short Form-36) scores were obtained. Results: All thirty-seven fractures healed primarily. Three elbows underwent later release because of stiffness. The median arc of elbow motion was 126° (range, 60° to 141°). The mean MEPI was 91.5 points and the mean DASH score was 15.9 points, indicating excellent scores with mild impairment. The median percent loss of triceps strength was 10% (range, 0% to 49%) compared with the contralateral, normal elbow. Conclusions: Open treatment of distal humeral fractures with an extensor mechanism-on approach results in excellent healing, a mean elbow flexion-extension arc exceeding 100°, and maintenance of 90% of elbow extension strength compared with that of the contralateral, normal elbow. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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U2 - 10.2106/JBJS.J.01785
DO - 10.2106/JBJS.J.01785
M3 - Article
C2 - 22438004
AN - SCOPUS:84860626226
SN - 0021-9355
VL - 94
SP - 548
EP - 553
JO - Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery
JF - Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery
IS - 6
ER -