title: [Evaluation of total elbow arthroplasty in treatment of distal humeral fracture in the elderly].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of total elbow arthroplasty in treatment of distal humeral fracture in the elderly.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 24 elderly patients who were diagnosed of distal humeral fracture and received Coorad-Morry prosthesis arthroplasty were retrospectively selected and analyzed from Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from 2003 to 2009. X ray examination of elbow joint and clinical evaluation were conducted in the follow-up; Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) was used in the last follow-up to evaluate patients' elbow function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 20 patients with intact follow-up information were included in the final analysis, with mean follow-up length 92 months (65 - 136), mean VAS score 0.8 (0 - 2), extension degree of elbow 25 (0 - 60)degrees, flexion degree 112 (80 - 135)degrees; Mean MEPS was 88.5, with 7 excellent, 8 good, and 1 fair. Two patients had severe heterotopic ossification, 3 patients had ulnar neuropathy, 2 of which were temporary. One patient had superficial infection, and 1 had aseptic loosening in the humeral part, but did not receive revision surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Total elbow arthroplasty can successfully treat distal humeral fracture in the elderly and achieve satisfactory result which can last for a long time.
authors.forename: Jile
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Maoqi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Yejun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zha
authors.forename: Xinghua
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lidan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xieyuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D057929:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Elbow; D004550:Elbow / Q000601:surgery; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome