title: The Kudo humeral component as primary hemiarthroplasty in distal humeral fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treatment of intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus in the elderly is challenging. In patients with very distal fractures and severe comminution, primary arthroplasty has been advocated. Recently, a few reports have described promising results of hemiarthroplasty. This study describes the medium-term results of using the Kudo humeral implant (Biomet Ltd, Bridgend, U.K.) as replacement of the distal humerus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight women (mean age, 79 years) were treated. Follow-up was conducted at a mean of 4 years after the procedure and consisted of the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), radiographic images, and range of motion (ROM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients had a good or excellent outcome according to the MEPS. Mean ROM was 31° to 126°. Radiographic signs of attrition of the ulna were observed in 3 patients but did not correlate with the functional outcome. A periprosthetic fracture occurred in 1 patient 3 years after the index operation, and ROM was unsatisfactory in 1 patient. No other complications were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of the Kudo humeral implant as a hemiarthroplasty resulted in a reasonable functional outcome in the medium-term, but the radiographic signs of attrition suggest that the implant is not recommended as a hemiprosthesis.
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden. lars.adolfsson@lio.se
authors: Lars
authors: L
authors: Adolfsson
authors: Jens
authors: J
authors: Nestorson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000379:methods; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D017885:Collateral Ligaments / Q000601:surgery; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D058569:Elbow Prosthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011474:Prosthesis Design