Unknown

Dataset Information

0

Surgical Technique: Treatment of Distal Humerus Nonunions.


ABSTRACT: Open reduction and internal fixation of distal humerus fractures is standard of care with good to excellent outcome for most patients. However, nonunions of the distal humerus still occur. These are severely disabling problems for the patient and a challenge for the treating physician. Fortunately, a combination of standard nonunion techniques with new plate designs and fixation methods allow even the most challenging distal humeral nonunion to be treated successfully.The purpose of this manuscript is to describe our current technique in treating distal humeral nonunion as it has evolved over the last four decades. We have now follow-up on 62 treated patients.A few key steps are essential to obtain bone healing while regaining or preserving elbow motion. These include careful planning, extensile exposure, release of the ulnar nerve, capsular release and mobilization of the distal fragment, debridement, and finally stable fixation after alignment with application of bone graft.The vast majority of distal humeral nonunions can be treated successfully with open reduction and internal fixation.Important components of the treatment plan are careful preoperative planning, extensile approach, debridement, and solid fixation with-locking-plates and liberal use of bone graft.

SUBMITTER: Donders JCE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5617817 | biostudies-other | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

altmetric image

Publications

Surgical Technique: Treatment of Distal Humerus Nonunions.

Donders Johanna C E JCE   Lorich Dean G DG   Helfet David L DL   Kloen Peter P  

HSS journal : the musculoskeletal journal of Hospital for Special Surgery 20170412 3


<h4>Background</h4>Open reduction and internal fixation of distal humerus fractures is standard of care with good to excellent outcome for most patients. However, nonunions of the distal humerus still occur. These are severely disabling problems for the patient and a challenge for the treating physician. Fortunately, a combination of standard nonunion techniques with new plate designs and fixation methods allow even the most challenging distal humeral nonunion to be treated successfully.<h4>Ques  ...[more]

Similar Datasets

| S-EPMC6667773 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC7953167 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC2267552 | biostudies-other
| S-EPMC8084756 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC4058114 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6988572 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6031544 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC5494597 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC2758979 | biostudies-other
| S-EPMC9264000 | biostudies-literature