Operative Orthopädie und Traumatologie
-
Oper Orthop Traumatol · Jul 2010
[Treatment of the complex intraarticular fracture of the distal humerus with the latitude elbow prosthesis].
Therapy of comminuted intraarticular distal humerus fractures in elderly patients with primary total elbow arthroplasty to achieve stable and painless function. Use of "third-generation" elbow prosthesis with the following options:--linked total elbow arthroplasty,--unlinked total elbow arthroplasty,--either with or without radial head replacement,--hemiarthroplasty. ⋯ 15 Latitude elbow prostheses were implanted in 2007 and 2008 at the Department of Trauma Surgery of the University Hospital Mainz, Germany, due to the following indications: fractures (n=7), pseudarthrosis (n=4), posttraumatic osteoarthritis (n=3), and rheumatoid arthritis (n=1). Six hemiprostheses, two unlinked and seven linked prostheses were implanted. The mean age of patients was 67 years (31-88 years). For the treatment of acute fractures, the indication was made only in elderly patients. The mean age was 77 years (66-88 years). Eleven of these 15 patients were reexamined after 13.5 months (6-23 months). The mean extension deficit was 15 degrees (0-30 degrees), the mean flexion 119 degrees (95-140 degrees). The mean pronation was 78 degrees (60-90 degrees), the mean supination 79 degrees (50-90 degrees). According to the Mayo Elbow Performance Score, three patients achieved an excellent, seven a good, and one a fair result. The mean Mayo Score was 89.2 (74-100). The mean DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) Score was 8.4 (0-28).