Open reduction and internal fixation for distal humerus fractures in older adults: a retrospective comparative study by osteoporosis status

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Abstract
Background: Distal humerus fractures in older patients, particularly those with osteoporosis, pose substantial treatment challenges because of increased fracture complexity and compromised bone stock. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is the preferred treatment but may be complicated by fixation failure. This study investigated the outcomes of ORIF in older osteoporotic and nonosteoporotic patients with complete articular distal humerus fractures.Methods: This retrospective study included 19 patients with Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/ Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) 13C distal humerus fractures who underwent surgical treatment between 2012 and 2024. The mean patient age was 79.1 years. Patients were divided into osteoporotic (n=11) and nonosteoporotic (n=8) groups based on the lowest recorded dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry T-score at the femoral neck or lumbar spine. Osteoporosis was defined as a T-score of −2.5 or lower, and the nonosteoporotic group included patients with osteopenia. All fractures were treated with ORIF using bicolumnar plating. All included patients completed 12 months of clinical follow-up for visual analog scale (VAS) and Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) assessments. Radiographic follow-up was recorded separately and continued until union was confirmed; imaging follow-up extended to 12 months or longer in 14 patients and was limited to 6 months in five asymptomatic patients after confirmed union.Results: Both groups showed significant within-group improvement in pain, as assessed using the VAS, and function, as assessed using the MEPS, over time. Between-group comparisons at each follow-up time point showed no statistically significant differences in VAS or MEPS. No radiographic nonunion was observed during the available imaging follow- up, and complications were limited to one case of screw pullout/loosening and one case of postoperative stiffness.Conclusions: ORIF provides reliable outcomes for older patients with complex distal humerus fractures, regardless of osteoporosis status, when stable reconstruction is achievable. These findings suggest that ORIF remains a viable treatment option, with satisfactory functional recovery and low complication rates in this population.Level of evidence: III.
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  • Inha University

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