Functional Outcome Following Internal Fixation of Intraarticular Fractures of the Distal Humerus

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the functional outcome following internal fixation of intraarticular fractures of the distalhumerus (AO Type C) with a minimum follow-up of twelve months.Materials and Methods: This prospective study was carried out at Orthopaedics department from December2018 to December 2022. A total of 170 consecutive patients with intraarticular fractures of the distal humerus wererecruited from Emergency and outpatient department and treated with open anatomical reduction and internalfixation with plating and lag screw. Functional evaluations of elbow joints were evaluated with Broberg andMorrey functional rating index. All patients were followed for twelve months.Results: All fractures united in average 3.2 months (range 7-19 weeks). The results were excellent in 66.47% patientsand good in 22.35% patients at final follow-up. Complications found in 22.35% patients who had insignificantdelayed unions which were united next 3 weeks, 7.05% insignificance malunion, 5.83% ulnar nerve neurapraxiaand 5.83% patients developed elbow stiffness.Conclusions: We conclude that internal fixation of intraarticular fractures of the distal humerus is an effectiveprocedure with an excellent or good functional outcome in majority of the patients. Patients have a high level ofsatisfaction and the majority returns to their previous level of activity.