Background: Distal humeral fractures of type C by AO are serious musculoskeletal injuries, affecting the function of the elbow and upper limb. The authors present the results of treatment of these injuries with the use of two LCP plates.
Material and methods: We report on 25 patients aged 26-75 years who were operated on between 2008 and 2010. We examined 20 patients. Treatment results were evaluated basing on patient histories (Oxford Elbow Score), clinical examination (Mayo Elbow Score) and radiographs. We rated the percentage loss of movement in relation to the healthy limb.
Results: Bony union was achieved in all patients. A scoring system based on the Oxford Elbow Scale rated the outcomes as excellent and good in 13 (65%) patients, fair in 5 (25%) and poor in 2 (10%). The Mayo Elbow Scale revealed 12 (60%) excellent and good results, 6 (30%) fair results and 2 (10%) poor results.
Conclusion: Restoration of elbow anatomy with stable fixation of bone fragments allows early resumption of movements, predicting a good clinical outcome.