Intraarticular Distal Humerus Fracture Complicated by Osteogenesis Imperfecta Treated With Primary Total Elbow Arthroplasty: A Case Report

Intraarticular fractures of the distal humerus are challenging problems for the treating surgeon. When these fractures are complicated by severe comminution and poor bone quality, open reduction and internal fixation may lead to poor clinical outcomes when compared with those treated with primary total elbow arthroplasty. The population in which this clinical scenario most often arises is the elderly. An unusual case is presented in which a 38-year-old individual was successfully treated with primary total elbow arthroplasty for a highly comminuted, intraarticular distal humerus fracture with severe osteopenia due to osteogenesis imperfecta in which standard plate osteosynthesis was unlikely to provide sufficient stable fixation. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 15(2):95–98, 2006)