Prospective observational cohort of 320 consecutive adult distal humeral fractures treated at a single Edinburgh trauma unit over 9.5 years. Defines the epidemiology, AO/OTA fracture distribution, and treatment outcomes — union rates, infection, nerve palsy, and myositis — using a standardized ORIF protocol for all displaced fractures.
When classifying a distal humeral fracture, don't stop at the AO/OTA letter — determine whether the fracture line is 'low' (at or below condyle level): A2.3, A3, and C1.3 low configurations carry a 37.5% nonunion rate and may warrant consideration of total elbow arthroplasty, especially in elderly patients where distal bone stock for fixation is insufficient.
Prospective observational cohort of 320 consecutive adult distal humeral fractures treated at a single Edinburgh trauma unit over 9.5 years. Defines the epidemiology, AO/OTA fracture distribution, and treatment outcomes — union rates, infection, nerve palsy, and myositis — using a standardized ORIF protocol for all displaced fractures.
When classifying a distal humeral fracture, don't stop at the AO/OTA letter — determine whether the fracture line is 'low' (at or below condyle level): A2.3, A3, and C1.3 low configurations carry a 37.5% nonunion rate and may warrant consideration of total elbow arthroplasty, especially in elderly patients where distal bone stock for fixation is insufficient.