Medical College of Wisconsin
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Bicondylar intraarticular fractures of the distal humerus in adults. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1993 Jul(292):26-36

Date

07/01/1993

Pubmed ID

8519119

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0027200991 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   150 Citations

Abstract

Bicondylar intraarticular fractures of the distal humerus, because of their rarity and often associated significant displacement, comminution, and osteopenia, present the orthopedist with a difficult injury to reliably treat successfully. As with any displaced intraarticular fracture, the principles of anatomic restoration of the articular surface, stable fixation, and early motion are the optimal treatment goals. To obtain reproducible results, an established treatment protocol is required and is described in detail here. The average excellent-to-good results with surgical treatment for Type C fractures ("T" or "Y" bicondylar fractures) is 75% (range, 65-100%). Complications include heterotopic ossification (4%), infection (4%), ulnar nerve palsy (7%), failure of fixation (5%), and non-union (2%).

Author List

Helfet DL, Schmeling GJ

Author

Greg J. Schmeling MD Vice Chair, Professor in the Orthopaedic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Bone Plates
Elbow Joint
Fracture Fixation, Internal
Humans
Humeral Fractures
Radiography
Treatment Outcome