title: Operative treatment of intra-articular distal humerus fractures.
abstract: Intra-articular distal humerus fractures can be among the most challenging injuries treated by orthopedic surgeons. The goals of surgical treatment are anatomical restoration of the articular surface and stable fixation of the fracture fragments to allow for early motion. However, the bone stock of the distal humerus is limited, and stable fixation may be difficult to achieve in the case of a low fracture pattern, comminution, or osteoporosis. In this article, we provide practical recommendations for surgical management of these complex fractures.
authors.affiliation: Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors.forename: Charalampos G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Zalavras
authors.forename: Elizabeth T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: McAllister
authors.forename: Anshuman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Itamura
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001858:Bone Nails; D001860:Bone Plates; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092464:Elbow Injuries