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Distal Humerus: Unicondylar Fractures

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Fractures of the Elbow

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Abstract

Unicondylar fractures of the distal humerus in adults are uncommon. Surgical fixation is indicated in almost all cases. Preoperative planning should include two orthogonal radiographs and a CT scan to plan the surgical approach and implant choice and assess articular extension. It is advocated that surgery should occur within 2 weeks of injury. Surgery allows for anatomical reduction and internal fixation and the commencement of early range of motion exercises. Commonly reported complications are stiffness, prominent implants, nerve damage and heterotopic ossification. Patients should consent and be counselled for a loss of range of motion, in particular terminal extension.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics & Trauma, Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK

    Daniel Williams, Dafydd S. Edwards & Pramod Achan

Authors
  1. Daniel Williams
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  2. Dafydd S. Edwards
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  3. Pramod Achan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pramod Achan .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, New York University, Langone Health, New York, NY, USA

    Nirmal C. Tejwani

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Williams, D., Edwards, D.S., Achan, P. (2019). Distal Humerus: Unicondylar Fractures. In: Tejwani, N. (eds) Fractures of the Elbow. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22857-6_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22857-6_6

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-22856-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-22857-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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