Distal humerus fractures nonunion with elbow stiffness in working adults: Can triple tension band technique and Lambda Plate(®) be a standby solution?

BACKGROUND: Distal humerus fracture nonunion and associated elbow stiffness are two intermingled orthopaedic challenges for working adults. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the short-term results of the triple tension band and Lambda plate in managing both problems.

METHODS: The study included fourteen cases. The mean age was 35.7 ± 8.5 years (range 25-49). Eight cases were males. Initial management was conservative in three cases. Three cases had a history of infected nonunion. Eight cases had initially OTA type C injuries and six cases had type A injuries. All cases had olecranon osteotomy, triple tension band, Lambda plating, and autogenous bone grafting. Five cases had ulnar nerve anterior transposition. Evaluation of the cases was objectively via Mayo Elbow Performance (MEP) score and subjectively through Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score.

RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 23.7 ± 5.3 months. All cases had a solid bony union in a mean of 16.4 ± 2.1 weeks and the final range of motion averaged 100 ± 19.6°. MEP and DASH scores had significant improvement at the final follow-up periods (P = 0.001). Cases with transposed ulnar nerve had significantly less MEP scores (P = 0.028) and more DASH scores (P = 0.013).

CONCLUSIONS: The prescribed technique could be a good alternative to the known traditional methods with the advantages of: good exposure for arthrolysis; rigid and stable internal fixation even with low bone quality or small-sized distal fragments; and secure early rehabilitation.