Abstract

Case Report

Treatment of a Distal Humerus Fracture using an Elbow Hemiarthroplasty

Tade Yanick S*, Liu John L and Miguel A Pirela Cruz

Published: 14 June, 2023 | Volume 7 - Issue 1 | Pages: 018-021

Elbow hemiarthroplasty (EHA) is a highly effective procedure for treating various elbow joint disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and fractures involving the articular surface of the distal humerus. It involves replacing the entire distal humerus with a prosthesis and reattaching the supporting soft tissues. The EHA provides significant pain relief, improves joint function, and increases patient satisfaction, with minimal complications that can be easily managed. This case study demonstrates the value of EHA as a viable treatment option for distal humerus fractures in older adults with moderate activity levels, as a superior alternative to osteosynthesis.

Read Full Article HTML DOI: 10.29328/journal.aceo.1001016 Cite this Article Read Full Article PDF

Keywords:

Elbow hemiarthroplasty; Distal humeral replacement; Ulnohumeral joint

References

  1. Varecka TF, Myeroff C. Distal Humerus Fractures in the Elderly Population. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2017 Oct;25(10):673-683. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-15-00683. PMID: 28953082.
  2. 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 Feb;14(2):159-64. doi: 10.1023/a:1007496318884. PMID: 9556175.
  3. Seok HG, Park JJ, Park SG. Comparison of the Complications, Reoperations, and Clinical Outcomes between Open Reduction and Internal Fixation and Total Elbow Arthroplasty for Distal Humeral Fractures in the Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med. 2022 Sep 29;11(19):5775. doi: 10.3390/jcm11195775. PMID: 36233648; PMCID: PMC9571352.
  4. Phadnis J, Watts AC, Bain GI. Elbow hemiarthroplasty for the management of distal humeral fractures: current technique, indications and results. Shoulder Elbow. 2016 Jul;8(3):171-83. doi: 10.1177/1758573216640210. Epub 2016 Apr 21. PMID: 27583016; PMCID: PMC4950283.
  5. Jukes CP, Dirckx M, Phadnis J. Current concepts in distal humeral hemiarthroplasty. J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2021 May 27;19:224-230. doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2021.05.025. PMID: 34150495; PMCID: PMC8190472.
  6. Rangarajan R, Papandrea RF, Cil A. Distal Humeral Hemiarthroplasty Versus Total Elbow Arthroplasty for Acute Distal Humeral Fractures. Orthopedics. 2017 Jan 1;40(1):13-23. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20161227-02. PMID: 28375524.
  7. Jukes CP, Dirckx M, Phadnis J. Current concepts in distal humeral hemiarthroplasty. J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2021 May 27;19:224-230. doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2021.05.025. PMID: 34150495; PMCID: PMC8190472.
  8. Mellen RH, Phalen GS. Arthroplasty of the elbow by replacement of the distal portion of the humerus with an acrylic prosthesis. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1947 Apr;29(2):348-53. PMID: 20240192.
  9. VenablE CS. An elbow and an elbow prosthesis; case of complete loss of the lower third of the humerus. Am J Surg. 1952 Mar;83(3):271-5. doi: 10.1016/0002-9610(52)90255-9. PMID: 14903376.
  10. Macausland WR. Replacement of the lower end of the humerus with a prosthesis; a report of four cases. West J Surg Obstet Gynecol. 1954 Nov;62(11):557-66. PMID: 13217249.
  11. Celli A, Ricciarelli M, Guerra E, Bonucci P, Ritali A, Cavallo M, Rotini M, Rotini R. Elbow hemiarthroplasty for acute distal humeral fractures and their sequelae: medium- and long-term follow-up of 41 cases. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2022 May;31(5):1015-1025. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2021.12.030. Epub 2022 Jan 26. PMID: 35091072.
  12. Street DM, Stevens PS. A humeral replacement prosthesis for the elbow: results in ten elbows. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1974 Sep;56(6):1147-58. PMID: 4436351.
  13. Chang N, King GJW. Elbow Hemiarthroplasty for the Treatment of Distal Humerus Fractures. Orthop Clin North Am. 2020 Apr;51(2):265-277. doi: 10.1016/j.ocl.2019.11.009. Epub 2020 Feb 3. PMID: 32138864.
  14. Stone A, Chan G, Sinclair L, Phadnis J. Elbow arthroplasty in trauma-current concepts review. J Orthop. 2022 Nov 23;35:126-133. doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2022.11.013. PMID: 36471696; PMCID: PMC9718957.
  15. Piggott RP, Hennessy O, Aresti NA. Distal humerus hemiarthroplasty for trauma: a systematic review of the outcomes and complications. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2022 Jul;31(7):1545-1552. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2022.02.015. Epub 2022 Mar 23. PMID: 35337953.
  16. Smith GC, Hughes JS. Unreconstructable acute distal humeral fractures and their sequelae treated with distal humeral hemiarthroplasty: a two-year to eleven-year follow-up. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2013 Dec;22(12):1710-23. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2013.06.012. Epub 2013 Sep 20. PMID: 24054974.

Figures:

Similar Articles

Recently Viewed

Read More

Most Viewed

Read More

Help ?