Continuous passive motion after internal fixation of distal humerus fractures

Two patients with severe intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus were treated with internal fixation and postoperative continuous passive motion (CPM) of the elbow. The CPM machine's range of motion was initially set at 30 degrees to 70 degrees of flexion for one patient and 45 degrees to 90 degrees of flexion for the other. The arc of motion was gradually increased daily without discomfort. There was no occurrence of wound complications, nonunion, loss of reduction, heterotopic ossification, or failure of fixation. At last evaluation, both patients had full pronation and supination. One patient had 0 degrees to 135 degrees of elbow flexion, and the other had 30 degrees to 110 degrees. Both patients had pain-free elbows. CPM was found to be a valuable therapeutic modality in the postoperative management of intra-articular fractures of the elbow.