The Unreconstructable Distal Humerus Fracture: Options and Bail Outs in Complex Articular Fractures
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University of St. Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue Campus Box 8233, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Hand Clinics
|October 17, 2025
Abstract
None:
Distal humerus fractures are challenging injuries due to their soft tissue envelop, and the complex 3 dimensional anatomy including 3 articular surfaces. Modern fixation principles have allowed for improved outcomes even in previously unreconstructible fracture patterns. Despite these advances bone loss, and articular comminution may require alternative or adjunctive strategies such as grafting, fusion, hemi-arthroplasty and total elbow arthroplasty options.
Keywords:
Complex articular fracturesDistal humerusElbowFractureFusionIntra-articularSalvageUnreconstructibleMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Fractures: Bone Repair
5.0K
Treatment for a fracture is based on the type of break, the bone affected, and the patient's age.
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the...
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the...
5.0K
Bones of the Upper Limb: Humerus
6.9K
The upper limb consists of the arm, forearm, wrist, and hand bones. The humerus is the single bone of the upper arm region. Proximally, it has a large, spherical, smooth head that articulates with the glenoid cavity of the scapula to form the glenohumeral or shoulder joint. The margin of the head is the anatomical neck, a residual epiphyseal plate. Laterally it extends to form bony projections called the greater tubercle and the lesser tubercle. Next to the tubercles is the surgical neck, a...
6.9K


