Total elbow arthroplasty in distal humerus fracture in patients older than 65 years.

Objective To report the clinical-functional results of the treatment of humeral distal fractures with a total elbow prosthesis in patients older than 65 years old. Material and methods This retrospective paper was performed in two surgical centers. Criteria inclusion were: patients with humeral distal fractures, > 65 years, operated on with Coonrad-Morrey prostheses, and with a follow-up of >1 year. Twenty-one patients were included. Twenty were women with an average age of 79 years old. According to AO classification, 13 fractures were type C3, 7 C2 and 1 A2. All patientes were operated on without desinsertion of the extensor mechanism. Average follow-up was 40 months. Results Flexo-extension was 123-17°, with a total arc of mobility of 106° (80 % of the contralateral side). Pain according to AVE was 1. The MEPI was 83 points: 8 patients had excellent results, 11 good, 1 regular and 1 bad. Average DASH score was 24 points. Conclusion Treatment of humeral distal fractures with total elbow arthoplasty in patients older than 65 years old, may lead to a good option of treatment, but indications must be limited to patients with complex fractures, bad bone quality, with osteoporosis and low functional demands