Distal humeral fractures

Summary

Evidence from four case series and one comparative study suggests good outcomes following treatment with total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) for fractures of the distal humerus. Functional outcomes after TEA were good or excellent in the majority of patients and complications such as loosening or infection were relatively few. Rates for heterotopic ossification ranged from 6% - 16%, however most studies were quite small and had limited follow-up. In the absence of any large studies comparing TEA with open reduction and internal fixation, there is no evidence supporting TEA over ORIF.