Management of distal humeral fractures in the elderly

Although relatively uncommon, fractures of the distal humerus in the elderly patient population are significant injuries of which optimal management is a subject of debate in orthopaedic literature. The combination of complex anatomy, poor bone quality and extensive comminution often seen with these fractures makes successful treatment difficult. Currently, most surgeons support surgical fixation of distal humeral fractures with the belief that restoration of the patient's native elbow joint provides the best opportunity for a good functional outcome. Others have proposed the use of total elbow arthroplasty as a primary treatment method for geriatric distal humeral fractures based on the difficulties associated with ORIF and the relatively low demands of this patient population. To date, there have been no prospective randomised trials comparing these two treatment alternatives, and a comparison of available outcome data shows good functional outcome for both forms of fracture management. With the aging of the population and an associated increase in the incidence of distal humeral fractures, the debate over the optimal treatment regime will undoubtedly continue.