Objective: To analyze the outcomes of total elbow arthroplasty in the treatment of elderly type C distal humeral fractures and discuss the clinic efficacy.
Methods: 8 cases of elderly type C distal humeral fractures, Male was in one case, female in seven cases, and the average age was 66.5 years (60-81). All cases were closed fractures because of falling and none had associated injuries. According to AO classification, type C1 were in one cases, C2 in four cases and C3 in three cases. The average time from injury to operation was 5.5 days (3-9), and the type of prosthesis which all cases replaced was Coonrad-Marrey. The postoperative follow-up was obtained regularly which the contents included Mayo elbow score, pain evaluation, the motion range and the stability of the elbow, muscle strength, examination of related complications such as heterotopic ossification, prosthesis loosening and nerve damage.
Results: The incision infection was in one case, ulnar nerve symptom in two cases, weakness of musculus triceps brachii in one case and mild pain of elbow in two cases. The average motion rage of elbow was 103.5±3.2 degree (78-118) in flexion-extension and 126.4±4.1 degree (94-148) in rotation. All elbow joints were stable postoperatively, no prosthesis loosening and apparent wear was found. The heterotopic ossification was found in 1 case. The average Mayo elbow score was 85.2±3.4 (75-95), four cases of excellent and four cases of good.
Conclusion: The total elbow arthroplasty was recommended in clinic to treat elderly type C distal humeral fractures because the clinic outcomes are satisfied.
Keywords: Humerus; arthroplasty; elbow; fractures; replacement.