Elbow Hemiarthroplasty for the Treatment of Distal Humerus Fractures

Authors

Nicholas Chang, Hand and Upper Limb Centre
Graham J.W. King, Hand and Upper Limb Centre

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2020

Journal

Orthopedic Clinics of North America

Volume

51

Issue

2

First Page

265

Last Page

277

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.1016/j.ocl.2019.11.009

Abstract

© 2019 Elsevier Inc. Distal humerus hemiarthroplasty is a good surgical option for nonreconstructable intraarticular distal humerus fractures in selected lower-demand patients. The lifetime activity restrictions have not been determined, but are likely less than a total elbow arthroplasty. From a technical standpoint, distal humeral prostheses should be implanted at the correct depth and rotation. The collateral ligaments, condyles, and epicondyles should be preserved and/or repaired to maintain joint stability. Short- to midterm retrospective studies have shown promising results.