Operative Treatment of Displaced Intercondylar Fracture of the Distal Humerus with Reconstruction Plate

Ryuh Sup Kim; Tong Joo Lee; Kyoung Ho Moon; Seung Rim Park; Moon Lee

doi:10.12671/jkfs.2007.20.2.172

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Kim, Lee, Moon, Park, and Lee: Operative Treatment of Displaced Intercondylar Fracture of the Distal Humerus with Reconstruction Plate

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Fracture Society 2007; 20(2): 172-177.

Published online: 14 June 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2007.20.2.172

Operative Treatment of Displaced Intercondylar Fracture of the Distal Humerus with Reconstruction Plate

Ryuh Sup Kim, M.D., Tong Joo Lee, M.D., Kyoung Ho Moon, M.D., Seung Rim Park, M.D., Moon Lee, M.D.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Tong Joo Lee, M.D. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Inha University College of Medicine, 253, Yonghyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Incheon 402-751, Korea. Tel: 82-32-890-3664, Fax: 82-32-890-3099, TJLEE@inha.ac.kr

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the therapeutic effects of chevron olecranon osteotomy and bilateral reconstruction plate as operative treatment for distal humerus intercondylar fracture.

Materials and Methods

Among patients operated for distal humerus intercondylar fracture in our hospital from June, 1997 to October, 2005, 26 patients were selected who could be followed-up for more than one year. The average follow-up period was 15 months. All olecranon osteotomies were chevron osteotomy and all fractures were treated with internal fixation using bilateral reconstruction plate. The ulnar nerve was checked in all cases. Three patients in which case the plate might irritate the ulnar nerve, received with ulnar nerve anterior transposition. Cassebaum's classification and Mayo elbow performance score were used to evaluate at three, six and twelve months.

Results

Mean bone union period was 11.7 weeks. There were 9 excellent cases, 11 good cases, 4 fair cases and 2 poor cases. Mean flexion contracture was 11° and further flexion was 126° at last follow-up.

Conclusion

Bilateral reconstruction plate internal fixation using chevron olecranon osteotomy showed strong fixation and good clinical results and it is possible for early rehabilitation treatment.

Keywords: Humerus, Intercondylar fracture, Reconstruction plate, Chevron olecranon osteotomy

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

(A) Initial radiographs show AO/ASIF type C2 fracture of the distal humerus.

(B) Postoperative radiographs show bilateral reconstruction plate through chevron osteotomy of olecranon.

Fig. 2

(A) Initial radiographs show AO/ASIF type C2 fracture.

(B) At postoperative 12 weeks, radiographs show complete bony union.

Table 1

Cassebaum's classification for elbow range of motion

Table 2

Mayo elbow performance score

Classification: excellent>90, good: 75~89, fair: 60~74, poor<60.

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