title: Outcomes after Open Reduction and Plate Fixation of Distal Humerus Fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Distal humerus fractures (DHFs) have been a serious challenge since the beginning of surgery. The outcome of surgical treatment of a DHF should not only be assessed with clinical ratings. It is also important to take into account the patient's subjective evaluation of limb function.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved 26 patients after surgical treatment of DHF. The Quick DASH (QDASH) scale was used to assess the subjective results of surgical treatment of DHF, and the objective Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) was used to assess the clinical outcome. Relationships between the subjective and objective scores were tested with Pearson's correlation coefficient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  85% of the patients had excellent or good QDASH scores, and 65% of patients had excellent or good MEPS scores. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the subjective and objective assessments was -0.91, indicating total dependence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Open reduction and internal fixation using two perpendicular plates allows for achieving good stability of fixation, early rehabilitation and quick return to the desired level of activity, which contributes to a high percentage of good objective and subjective results of treatment. Subjective assessment of upper limb function after DHF surgery fully correlates with objective assessment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Military Medical Institute in Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Piekarczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Military Medical Institute in Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kwiatkowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Military Medical Institute in Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Piątkowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Military Medical Institute in Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Justyna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gołos
authors.affiliation: Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Military Medical Institute in Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kuczmera
mesh_terms: D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016896:Treatment Outcome