Clinical Presentation
Post-surgery, patients exhibited a mean restriction of 10.7 degrees for extension and 11.5 degrees for flexion compared to the uninjured side, with functional outcomes assessed by MEPI ranging from excellent to poor [PMID:29917008].
Management
The study found that the mean MEPI score was significantly higher (95.6 vs 75) and the mean QuickDASH score was notably lower (2.62 vs 25.0) in the early surgery group (≤3 days) compared to the late surgery group (>3 days) [PMID:29917008].
In a study of 35 elderly patients with AO type C distal humerus fractures treated with double-column plating, 78% achieved excellent and 22% good functional results according to the Mayo Elbow Function Score [PMID:19362859].
Prognosis & Follow-up
At a minimum 12-month follow-up, patients demonstrated a mean flexion-extension range of motion arc of 115 degrees (range, 45 to 150 degrees) [PMID:29917008].
Patients in the study had a mean elbow flexion-extension range of 113 degrees (10-40 degrees to 100-140 degrees) at follow-up, with fracture union achieved in an average of 3.5 months [PMID:19362859].
Key Recommendations
The study concludes that open reduction and internal fixation using double-column plating is effective for managing such fractures in elderly patients, supporting its recommendation for this specific demographic [PMID:19362859]. (Evidence: Expert opinion)
References
1 Onay T, Gümüştaş SA, Baykan SE, Akgülle AH, Erol B, Irgit KS. Mid-term and Long-term Functional and Radiographic Results of 13 Surgically Treated Adolescent Capitellum Fractures. Journal of pediatric orthopedics 2018. link 2 Liu JJ, Ruan HJ, Wang JG, Fan CY, Zeng BF. Double-column fixation for type C fractures of the distal humerus in the elderly. Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery 2009. link
2 papers cited of 3 indexed.