Treatment of high-energy supracondylar/intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus

Abstract

Operative treatment of high-energy intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus is challenging and controversial. We conducted a retrospective study at a Level I trauma center to evaluate the results of a specific treatment protocol. Seventy-one patients were treated through a posterior olecranon osteotomy. Capsulectomy was performed in patients who perceived their functional range of motion to be limited after an average of 10~months. Clinical followup consisted of physical examination, radiography, and completion of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. Average followup duration was 22 (range, 6 to 70) months. Sixty-five percent of the patients achieved excellent or good results, 28% fair, and 7% poor. Thirty-one percent underwent capsulectomy, with 59% of those patients achieving excellent or good results. This is the largest series reported to date. Our patients experienced mild functional impairment and a low rate of nonunion. We advocate capsulectomy for patients with limited range of motion postoperatively.