Results of total elbow arthroplasty in the treatment of distal humerus fractures in elderly Asian patients.
BACKGROUND
Distal humerus fractures in elderly patients are difficult to treat as these fractures are often complicated by varying degrees of comminution intra-articular involvement and osteoporosis. We retrospectively reviewed the results of primary total elbow arthroplasty in the treatment of distal humerus fractures in seven patients followed for a minimum of 1 year.


METHODS
Between July 2000 and June 2002, seven patients with distal humerus fractures were treated electively with total elbow arthroplasty using the semiconstrained Coonrad-Moorey elbow replacement prostheses. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score was used to assess the outcomes.


RESULTS
The mean age of our patients was 72.9 years. The mean duration of postoperative hospitalization stay was 7.6 days. The average length of follow up was 24.9 months. Six of these patients had no pain, and one patient had mild pain. The mean arc of flexion was 88.6 degrees. Six elbows had excellent results, while 1 elbow had good result. The mean Mayo score was 94.3 points. One elbow developed blisters postoperatively but resolved with dressings and antibiotics.


CONCLUSIONS
Our review suggests that total elbow arthroplasty can give good to excellent short term results when used in the treatment of distal humerus fractures in elderly Asian patients.
Lee
Keng Thiam
KT
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore. leekengthiam@hotmail.com
Lai
Choon Hin
CH
Singh
Sarbjit
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D001208:Asia; D015897:Comorbidity; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies