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- Title
Posttraumatic elbow agility and reduction of muscle force after intra-articular distal fractures of the humerus in adults.
- Authors
Jansen, Hendrik; Eden, Lars; Meffert, Rainer H.; Heintel, Timo; Frey, Sönke P.
- Abstract
<bold>Background: </bold>Treatment of distal intra-articular humerus fractures is still a technical challenge. Until now, little is known about the regain of strength and elbow agility after surgical treatment of these fractures. Due to small collectives there is only limited data.<bold>Objective: </bold>Investigation of regained strength and elbow agility in patients with intra-articular distal humerus fractures.<bold>Methods: </bold>A total of 28 patients were treated with distal intra-articular humerus fractures followed up for an average period of 62.3 months. The following parameters were examined: Arthrosis, heterotopic ossification, functional outcome (MEPS, DASH score, LES) and isometric strength of the elbow in extension and flexion was tested in 30∘, 60∘ and 90∘ in a custom-made positioning device.<bold>Results: </bold>There was a high complication rate with 32%. At the 60th month post injury, range of motion (ROM) of the elbow was 114∘ with a reduction of 32∘ compared to the contralateral uninjured side (p< 0.001). The highest reduction was seen in extension with an average loss of 16∘ (p< 0.001). Loss of motion correlated with the fracture severity regarding the AO-classification (r= 0.54, p< 0.01). The average regained muscle force was 81.5% in flexion and 92% in extension in comparison to the contralateral healthy side. Patients over 60 years had less range of motion and inferior results in the DASH score compared to younger patients.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Functional impairment in terms of reduced ROM and muscle force is a common complication after distal intra-articular humerus fracture. Patients over 60 years have a higher deficit of motion in the injured elbow joint and an inferior clinical outcome. Superiority of modern angle-stable implants could yet not be shown.
- Subjects
ELBOW fractures; ARTIFICIAL implants; INTERNAL fixation in fractures; OSSIFICATION; MUSCLE strength
- Publication
Technology & Health Care, 2019, Vol 27, Issue 4, p431
- ISSN
0928-7329
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.3233/THC-191659