title: Unicondylar fractures of the distal humerus: an operative approach.
abstract: This paper retrospectively reviews a series of 22 unicondylar fractures of the distal end of the humerus that were treated by open reduction and internal fixation over a 10 year period. The fracture patterns were classified according to the system of Müller et al. A strict rating scale was developed that incorporated subjective data, objective elbow motion, and the functional status of the involved elbow. At an average follow-up of 5.9 years (range 2.3 to 12.3 years), 12 elbows were rated as excellent, 6 as good, and 4 as fair. Complications included extensive posttraumatic arthritis in four patients, a nonunion in one, and a transient radial nerve palsy in one.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Jupiter
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Neff
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Regazzoni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Allgower
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies