title: Hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of distal humeral fractures: midterm clinical results.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Total elbow arthroplasty is a treatment for unreconstructable distal humeral fractures; however, longevity of the implant remains a concern in younger, more active patients. Distal humeral hemiarthroplasty (DHH) offers an alternative with multiple advantages.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective study of 10 patients who underwent DHH for distal humeral fractures during a 4-year period (2008-2012) by a single surgeon. Patients underwent testing of range of motion, Mayo Elbow Performance Score, Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand, visual analog scale, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores. Average patent age at surgery was 71.9 years (range, 56-81 years); average follow-up was 73.2 months (range, 36-96 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients maintained improvements in Mayo Elbow Performance Scores (mean, 89.23; range, 75-100) and Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores (mean, 33.71; range 11.2-55.1), along with no significant decrease in range of motion compared with 1 year after surgery. Mean visual analog scale was 2.43 (range, 0-5), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation was 74.14 (range, 50-100), and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score was 72.14 (range, 48.33-100). Participants had an average flexion of 128.7° (range, 95°-142°), extension deficit of 27.1° (range, 0°-45°), supination of 79.1° (range, 45°-90°), and pronation of 73.3° (range, 50°-90°). No heterotopic ossification, elbow dislocations, or subluxations were observed. Complications included 1 fracture and 1 complaint of prominent hardware. Two patients died, and 1 patient was lost to follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This midterm review suggests that DHH may be an effective treatment for certain distal humeral fractures. The data suggest that elbow range of motion and functional use are maintained from comparison with short-term studies. Additional studies must be conducted to further define the role of DHH for complex fractures of the distal humerus.
authors.affiliation: Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic at White Memorial Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address: mschultzel@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schultzel
authors.affiliation: Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Scheidt
authors.affiliation: Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic at White Memorial Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Narvy
authors.affiliation: Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic at White Memorial Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Brian K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic at White Memorial Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Itamura
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D062785:Hemiarthroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092464:Elbow Injuries
keywords: Total elbow arthroplasty; distal humeral fractures; distal humeral hemiarthroplasty; elbow fracture; elbow hemiarthroplasty; fracture care