Etiology and treatment of postoperative nonunion of the intercondylar fracture of humerus

Objective To investigate the causes and treatment of postoperative nonunion of the intercondylar fracture of humerus. Methods Twenty-six patients suffering from postoperative nonunion of the intercondylar fracture of humerus, 14 males and 12 females, were analyzed in this study. Four cases underwent total elbow arthroplasty(TEA), and the other 22 received refixation and autografting, 4 of whom healed only after 2 operations. The causes of postoperative nonunion were analyzed. Results This group had 28 unstable fixations, 16 postoperative plaster external fixations and 21 significant bone defects. On average, they had a follow-up of 11.4 months (4 to 41 months). In the 4 TEA cases, the average flexion was 112° (90° to 130°) and the extension 18° (0 to 35°). Their average MEPS score was 85(80 to 90 points). The other 22 cases achieved bone union ultimately, with an average flexion of 97.7°± 10. 0° (70° to 110°),an average extension of 30. 9°± 12.8°(0 to 60°), and an average motion arc of 66. 8°± 10. 5° (50° to 90°).Their average MEPS score was 81.4 ± 11. 1 points (65 to 100 points). Conclusions Inadequate internal fixation, elbow stiffness due to plaster external fixation and significant bone defects are the main causes for postoperative nonunion of the intercondylar fracture of humerus. 90-90 plate fixation and parallel plate fixation, together with constructive bone grafting, can achieve bone union in most cases, though the motion arc of the elbow is still unsatisfactory. Key words: Humeral fracture; Elbow joint; Fracture fixation; Fractures, ununited; Bone graft