ASSESSMENT OF ELBOW FUNCTION AFTER STABLE FIXATION OF AO TYPE C FRACTURES OF THE DISTAL HUMERUS IN ADULTS

Abstract

Thirty five patients with AO Type C fractures of the distal humerus
reporting to Orthopedic Department were studied over a period of three years from January 2000 to March 2003. Close
fractures and Gustilo Grade I and II fractures were included in the study. Age ranged from fifteen years to sixty years.
All the patients were operated under general anaesthesia. A comparison b/w transolecranon approach1 and Shahane
and Stanley approach2 was done. At a follow-up of six months the results were evaluated using the Jupiter’s
modification of Cassebaum’s rating sytem3. According to it thirteen results were rated excellent, eleven good, six fair
and five poor. Complications included tourniquet palsy, infection, stiff elbow and prominent hardware.