| Objective To explore the effect of dual plates fixation in treatment of distal humerus fractures.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 33 patients of distal humerus fractures treated by dual plates fixation at our hospital from May 2010 to October 2014. Three patients were lost to follow up and the clinical data of the rest 30 patients were completely collected, including the information on the surgery and postoperative outcome. There were 18 males and 12 females among the 30 patients, the mean age of which was 36 (range,20-60) years old. According to AO/ASIF classification, there were 12 cases for type C1, 10 cases for type C2 and 8 cases for type C3. They all had precipitating history, of which 7 resulted from falls when walking,13 from falls from elevations and 10 from traffic accidents.The operation time ranged from 3 to 8 days after their injuries and the average time was 5 days. We evaluated the effect of operation according to patients’pain and joint movement of elbow and wrist, the manifestation of X-ray and Morrey elbow rating score.Results:The average follow-up period was 18(range,6-24) months. According to the Morrey elbow rating score, the curative effects of 14 patients were excellent(score:95-100),12 patients were good(score:80-94),3 patients were moderate(score:50-79) and 1 patient was poor(score<50). In total, the excellent and good rate was 83.4%.Conclusion:Thirty patients with distal humerus fractures were included in our study and they had satisfied results in the follow-up period after dual plates fixation. There was 1 patient having myositis ossificans and 1 patient having ulnar nerve injury, but no patients having nonunion after the operation. Dual plate fixation is a preferred clinical treatment for distal humerus fractures for its biomechanics advantage, sure prostecdtive efficacy and rare complications. It needs more studies to confirm the curative effect because of the limits of few cases and insufficient follow-up time in our study. |
PDF Full Text Request