Distal humeral fractures in the adult

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Aitken GK. Rorabeck CH. Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. [JC:dfy] (207):191-7, 1986 Jun. Distal humeral fractures in the adult often are complicated by pseudarthrosis, pain, and limitation of motion. Of 29 adult patients with distal humeral fractures treated in teaching hospitals, 22 obtained acceptable results. Twenty-two percent of those treated by open methods and 36% of those treated by closed methods had unacceptable results. Ninety percent of the patients starting physiotherapy within six weeks of injury recovered well, while over half of those starting physiotherapy after six weeks had unsatisfactory results. Even comminuted fractures healed when treated by internal fixation and started early on exercises.