[Primary endoprosthetic replacement of fractured elbow in elderly patients].
OBJECTIVE
Inadequate treatment of distal intra-articular fractures of the humerus results in painful restriction of movement or malarticulation. Especially in geriatric patients with osteoporosis, stable osteosynthesis can be difficult. Primary total endoprosthetic replacement of the cubital joint could offer an alternative.


METHODS
In 12 patients with a distal intra-articular fracture of the humerus a cemented semi-constrained Coonrad-Morrey prosthesis was implanted. Patient were followed-up after an average of 13 months and assessed according to the Mayo score.


RESULTS
In 6 patients additional computerized tomography was carried out. Minimally invasive Kirschner wire osteosynthesis resulted in immediate postoperative loss of correction due to osteoporosis. As with the external distraction-compression apparatus the ulnar pinholes can form a predetermined breaking point and fixation in a long-arm cast is recommended. The mean Mayo score was 90.5 points and mean range of motion in extension/flexion was 84.5 degrees.


CONCLUSIONS
In elderly patients primary endoprosthetic treatment of a distal intra-articular fracture of the humerus with a semi-constrained cemented prosthesis may offer an alternative to osteosynthesis thus enabling creation of a mobile, painless and stable cubital joint.
Klinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105 , Bonn. oliver.weber@ukb.uni-bonn.de
O
O
Weber
C
C
Burger
K
K
Kabir
D C
DC
Wirtz
H
H
Goost
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery*; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092464:Elbow Injuries