Abstract
Objective: It is difficult to treat fractures of the distal end of the humerus. These commonly occur in elderly patients with osteoporosis, and in adults who are injured by high impact trauma. The treatment of this fracture requires rigid fixation to permit early range of motion exercises postoperatively. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of internal fixation with the ONI transcondylar plate.
Methods: The study was undertaken from March 2009 to April 2012, inclusive. There were eight patients in total composed of two males and six females, with the average age being 67.2 years (range, 36 to 89). The average duration of follow-up was 20 months (range, 6 to 43). The method of fixation included three bilateral plates and five one-sided plates. One subject who was not included in final study population group was excluded due to suffering a cerebral infarction, and that the fracture of the humerus was old. Based on the AO classification, the study included three patients of type A2, three patients of type of C2 and two patients of type C3, respectively.
Results: The average of Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score was 84.8 (range, 50 to 100). The average range of motion was −14.1 degrees (range, −50 to 0) of extension and 133.1 degrees (range, 125 to 145) of flexion. The average operation time was 191 minutes (range, 117 to 370). The average difference of affected and unaffected carrying angles was 5.6 degrees. Postoperative complications included numbness in the ulnar nerve distribution in three patients and re-displacement of the articular surface in one patient.
Conclusion: Our study showed good results using the ONI transcondylar plate for internal fixation of the humerus. The posterior approach has low invasiveness and is the appropriate method for this type of fracture.
