2017 ISAKOS Biennial Congress ePoster #403

The Factors Affecting Postoperative Stiffness Occurring with Distal Humerus Fracture

Seung-Hyun Yoo, MD, Gwangju KOREA, REPUBLIC OF
Myung-Sun Kim, MD, PhD, Gwangju KOREA, REPUBLIC OF
Byoung-Jin Kim, MD, Gwangju KOREA, REPUBLIC OF
Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, KOREA, REPUBLIC OF

FDA Status Not Applicable

Summary

Patients with postoperative elbow stiffness showed the poor clinical outcome. And delay of surgical intervention was related with postoperative elbow stiffness. Early surgical interventions for distal humerus fracture prevent the postoperative elbow stiffness

Abstract

Background

The aims of the current study were (1) to compare the functional outcomes between postoperative stiff elbows and non-stiff elbows, (2) to define the factors affecting postoperative stiffness occurring with distal humerus fracture.

Materials And Methods

From June 2010 to June 2014, 35 patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation for distal humerus fracture. Of these, 24 were enrolled as subjects in this study. Postoperative stiffness of the elbow was defined as restriction of active and passive motion of 100° of motion arc. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by used of a visual analog scale (VAS), Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI), and obtained Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) outcome auestionnaires for validated general assessment of upper extremity function. Factors that can affect stiffness were evaluated, including the fracture type (intraarticular or extraarticular fracture), approaching technique (paratricipital approach or transolecranon approach), polytrauma, operation timing. Retrospective analysis was conducted accordingly.

Results

Compare with clinical scores in postoperative stiff elbow and non-stiff elbow group, statistically significant differences were obtained for mean VAS, MEPI, and DASH scores. (p < 0.05) As expected, non-stiff elbow group shows statistically better clinical outcome than stiff elbow group. On evaluation of factors that can affect stiffness, there are no statistically significant differences were obtained for fracture type, approaching technique, polytrauma. However, mean duration between injuries to operation was 17.4 days (2-55 days) in stiff elbow group, 7.9 days (0-17 days) in non-stiff group. In statistical analysis shows significant difference between two groups (p = 0.041).

Conclusion

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