Distal Humerus Fractures in the Elderly: When to Fix and When to Replace?

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Geriatric Medicine
• Traumatology

Background:

• Distal humerus fractures in the elderly are complex due to comminution, poor bone quality, and soft tissue issues.
• Elderly patients often rely on upper extremities for weight-bearing, increasing functional demands on the elbow.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the indications and surgical goals for managing distal humerus fractures in the elderly.
• To discuss treatment considerations specific to the geriatric population, including physiologic age and functional status.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature and clinical practice guidelines for distal humerus fracture management in elderly patients.
• Analysis of patient-specific factors influencing treatment decisions, such as activity level and independence.

Main Results:

• Key considerations include physiologic age, mental status, activity level, and activities of daily living (ADL) independence.
• Surgical goals aim to achieve a stable, painless elbow with functional range of motion.

Conclusions:

• Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and arthroplasty are the primary surgical options.
• Treatment strategies must be tailored to individual patient needs to preserve independence and mobility.