title: Intercondylar fractures of the humerus. An operative approach.
abstract: In this paper we review a series of thirty-four intercondylar fractures of the distal end of the humerus that were treated by open reduction over a ten-year period. The fracture patterns were classified according to the system of Müller et al. and a strict rating scale incorporating subjective data, objective motion, and the functional status of the involved elbow was used for the results. At a mean follow-up of 5.8 years, thirteen results were rated as excellent; fourteen, as good; four, as fair; and three, as poor. Complications included postoperative neuritis in five patients; three non-unions; and refracture, heterotopic bone, and deep sepsis in one patient each.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011859:Radiography