title: Clinico-radiological Outcome Analysis of Parallel Plating with Perpendicular Plating in Distal Humeral Intra-articular Fractures: Prospective Randomised Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The distal humeral fractures are common fractures of upper limb and are difficult to treat. These fractures, if left untreated or inadequately treated, leads to poor outcomes. Management of distal humeral fractures are pertained to many controversies and one among them is position of plates.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the clinical and radiological outcomes in patients with intra-articular distal humerus fractures, treated using parallel and perpendicular double plating methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 38 patients with distal humerus fractures, 20 in perpendicular plating group (group A) and 18 in parallel plating group (group B), were included in this prospective randomised study. At each follow up patients were evaluated clinically and radiologically for union and the outcomes were measured in terms of Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) consisting of pain intensity, range of motion, stability and function. MEP score greater than 90 is considered as excellent; Score 75 to 89 is good; Score 60 to 74 is fair and Score less than 60 is poor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In our study, 15 patients (75%) in group A, and 13 patients (72.22%) in group B achieved excellent results. Two patients (10%) in group A and 4 patients (22.22%) in group B attained good results. Complications developed in 2 patients in each groups. No significant differences were found between the clinical outcomes of the two plating methods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neither of the plating techniques are superior to the other, as inferred from the insignificant differences in bony union, elbow function and complications between the two plating techniques.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedics, PIMS Medical College , Pondicherry, India .
authors.forename: Ramachandran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Govindasamy
authors.affiliation: Senior Resident, Department of Orthopedics, Maulana Azad Medical College , Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Vishal
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Shekhawat
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Orthopedics, Sawai Man Singh Medical College , Jaipur, Rajasthan, India .
authors.forename: Ramesh Chandra
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Banshiwal
authors.affiliation: Retired Professor and Head of Department, Department of Orthopedics, SMS Medical College , Jaipur, Rajasthan, India .
authors.forename: Rajender Kumar
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Verma
keywords: Bony union; Double plating; Elbow function; Mayo Elbow Performance Score