Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2017 Nov 30:11:1353-1363.
doi: 10.2174/1874325001711011353. eCollection 2017.

Distal Humeral Fractures-Current Concepts

James C Beazley  1 , Njalalle Baraza  1 , Robert Jordan  1 , Chetan S Modi  1
Affiliations
Review

Distal Humeral Fractures-Current Concepts

James C Beazley et al. Open Orthop J. .

Abstract

Background: Distal humerus fractures constitute 2% of all fractures in the adult population. Although historically, these injuries have been treated non-operatively, advances in implant design and surgical technique have led to improved outcomes following operative fixation.

Methods: A literature search was performed and the authors' personal experiences are reported.

Results: This review has discussed the anatomy, classifications, treatment options and surgical techniques in relation to the management of distal humeral fractures. In addition, we have discussed controversial areas including the choice of surgical approach, plate orientation, transposition of the ulnar nerve and the role of elbow arthroplasty.

Conclusion: Distal humeral fractures are complex injuries that require a careful planned approach, when considering surgical fixation, to restore anatomy and achieve good functional outcomes.

Keywords: Anatomy; Distal humerus fracture; Elbow; Fracture fixation; Open reduction internal fixation; Total elbow arthroplasty.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. (1)
Fig. (1)
Distal humerus triangle. Triangle formed by medial column (red), lateral column (blue) and articular surface (green).
Fig. (2)
Fig. (2)
Pre-operative CT and parallel plating of AO type C1 fracture.
Fig. (3)
Fig. (3)
Pre-operative CT and parallel plating of AO type C1 fracture.
Fig. (4)
Fig. (4)
Example of peri-prosthetic fracture following a mechanical fall one year after fixation of distal humerus.
Fig. (5)
Fig. (5)
Comminuted distal humerus fracture (AO type C3) in an elderly patient undergoing TEA.
Fig. (6)
Fig. (6)
Comminuted distal humerus fracture (AO type C3) in an elderly patient undergoing TEA.
Fig. (7)
Fig. (7)
Example of loosening of elbow arthroplasty.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Frankle M.A., Herscovici D., Jr, DiPasquale T.G., Vasey M.B., Sanders R.W. A comparison of open reduction and internal fixation and primary total elbow arthroplasty in the treatment of intraarticular distal humerus fractures in women older than age 65. J. Orthop. Trauma. 2003;17(7):473–480. doi: 10.1097/00005131-200308000-00001. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Robinson C.M., Hill R.M., Jacobs N., Dall G., Court-Brown C.M. Adult distal humeral metaphyseal fractures: Epidemiology and results of treatment. J. Orthop. Trauma. 2003;17(1):38–47. doi: 10.1097/00005131-200301000-00006. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Palvanen M., Kannus P., Niemi S., Parkkari J. Secular trends in the osteoporotic fractures of the distal humerus in elderly women. Eur. J. Epidemiol. 1998;14(2):159–164. doi: 10.1023/A:1007496318884. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Morrey B.F., Askew L.J., Chao E.Y. A biomechanical study of normal functional elbow motion. J. Bone Joint Surg. Am. 1981;63(6):872–877. doi: 10.2106/00004623-198163060-00002. - DOI - PubMed
    1. McKee M.D., Jupiter J.B. Fractures of the distal humerus. 3 rd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott: Skeletal trauma.; 2002. pp. 765–782.

LinkOut - more resources