title: Total elbow arthroplasty for the treatment of distal humeral fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the clinical-functional outcomes of the treatment of humeral distal fractures with a total elbow prosthesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study was performed in two surgical centres. A total of 23patients were included, with a mean age of 79years, and of which 21 were women. The inclusion criteria were: patients with humeral distal fractures, operated on using a Coonrad-Morrey prosthesis, and with a follow-up of more than one year. According to AO classification, 15fractures were type C3, 7 C2 and 1 A2. All patients were operated on without de-insertion of the extensor mechanism. The mean follow-up was 40 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Flexor-extension was 123-17°, with a total mobility arc of 106° (80% of the contralateral side). Pain, according to a visual analogue scale was 1. The Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI) was 83 points. Excellent results were obtained in 8 patients, good in 13, medium in 1, and poor in 1. The mean DASH (disability) score was 24 points.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment of humeral distal fractures with total elbow arthroplasty could be a good treatment option, but indications must be limited to patients with complex fractures, poor bone quality, with osteoporosis and low functional demands. In younger patients, the use is limited to serious cases where there is no other treatment option.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level of Evidence IV.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Ortopedia y Traumatología «Dr. Carlos E. Ottolenghi», Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address: gerardo.gallucci@hospitalitaliano.org.ar.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Gallucci
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Traumatología, Clínica Dávila, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Larrondo Calderón
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Ortopedia y Traumatología «Dr. Carlos E. Ottolenghi», Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Boretto
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Traumatología, Clínica Dávila, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Castellaro Lantermo
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Traumatología, Clínica Dávila, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Terán
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Ortopedia y Traumatología «Dr. Carlos E. Ottolenghi», Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: de Carli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D057929:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Elbow; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Distal humeral fracture; Fractura de húmero distal; Fractura supracondílea; Older patients; Pacientes añosos; Prótesis total de codo; Supracondylar fracture; Total elbow arthroplasty