Outcomes of Lateral Column Plating in Extra-Articular Distal Humerus Fractures
Background: Distal humerus extra-articular fractures are rare injuries conventionally fixed with stable bi-columnar fixation. It requires extensive soft tissue stripping leading to delayed recovery, and Olecranon impingement as a frequent complication hampering elbow extension; without considering the damage caused by excessive soft tissue stripping, both intra-articular and extra-articular fractures are managed in the same way. In extra-articular distal humerus fractures it’s not needed, and additional soft tissue stripping, olecranon impingement or need of olecranon osteotomy is eliminated by using single lateral column plate. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical, functional and radiological outcome of lateral column plating in distal humerus extra-articular fractures in relation to patient benefits. With recent advances in the field of implant manufacturing, and their availability: single column plate with better strength, and designs are promising enough to provide equivalent fracture stabilization (7) (8), avoids olecranon impingement/osteotomy; with less surgical exposure, thereby helping in quicker recovery, and reduced rehabilitation time.
