title: The clinical outcome and activity levels of patients under 55 years treated with distal humeral hemiarthroplasty for distal humeral fractures: minimum 2-year follow-up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical outcomes and activity levels of young patients after distal humeral hemiarthroplasty (DHH).
  
  
  METHODS
  Six patients under 55 years (mean 44 years; range 29 years to 52 years) treated with DHH at a mean postoperative time of 81 months (range 24 months to 133 months) were studied retrospectively. Two other patients had been revised for aseptic loosening and were excluded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean Mayo Elbow Score (MEPS) (88), Subjective Elbow Value (SEV) (89), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) (12) and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) elbow pain (6), function (23) and satisfaction scores (9) were satisfactory. The mean University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score was 7.2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although only rarely indicated, DHH has satisfactory clinical outcomes in young patients and allows a higher level of function than is generally advised after total elbow arthroplasty.
authors.affiliation: St George Hospital, Gray Street, Kogarah, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Geoffrey C S
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Barwon Orthopaedic Research Unit, The Geelong Hospital, Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Grant
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bayne
authors.affiliation: Barwon Orthopaedic Research Unit, The Geelong Hospital, Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Page
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic and Arthritis Specialist Centre, The Gallery, Chatswood, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Jeff S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hughes
keywords: arthroplasty; elbow; fracture; hemiarthroplasty