[Choices to treat fracture of distal humerus in the elderly patients].

ABSTRACT

Fractures of distal humerus in elderly patients are difficult to treat, as diminished bone mineral quality and increased trauma-associated articular surfaces destruction may make stable joint reconstruction even more difficult. In active patients, internal fixation is still a primary choice because of use age of total elbow replacement, but disagreements have still existed on how to treat these fractures in elderly patients. In the past years, treatment of fractures of distal humerus make much progress, including the introduction of dual plates fixation, widespread application of three-dimensional CT reconstruction, recognition of complicated fractures, understanding of the parallel plate technique, application of periarticular plates, and the selective use of total elbow arthroplasty. This article is an overview in treating options of fracture of distal humerus in the elderly patients by review the civil and overseas involved literatures.