Over the years I have been asked to evaluate patients who have been treated intially for a fracture of the distal humerus with fracture repair. In some cases stiffness, nonunion, post-traumatic arthritis result in ongoing pain and impaired function.
When patient age is 55-60 or older, revision with total elbow replacement becomes a feasible option. It provides reliable motion and pain-relief, but does necessitate limiting postoperative lifting to 5 pounds--to minimize the risk of loosening. We will discuss your options, which include redoing the fracture fixation versus elbow replacement.
