A 48 year old female was referred to our office 2 days following a fall from a standing height onto her left upper extremity. Radiographs revealed a periprosthetic fracture above a cemented total elbow replacement and below a cemented humeral component of a total shoulder replacement. Her history was also significant for osteoporosis. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) was performed with placement of a 3.5mm extra-articular distal humeral locking plate posterior-laterally and a 3.5mm reconstruction plate along the medial column in a 90-90 construct with multiple interfragmentary lag screws. She returned for routine follow-up and at 7 months radiographs illustrate a healed periprosthetic humerus fracture and she has returned to activities of daily living with resolution of pain.
Carroll EA, Lorich DG, Helfet DL: Surgical management of a periprosthetic fracture between a total elbow and total shoulder prostheses: a case report. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2009 18(3):e9-12.
IMAGES
- Figure A Anteroposterior (AP), oblique and lateral radiographs revealing a periprosthetic humerus fracture between a cemented long stemmed humeral component and a cemented standard length elbow component.
|
- Figure B Anteroposterior and lateral fluoroscopic images demonstrating adequate fixation and alignment following open reduction and internal fixation.
|
- Figure C Radiographs at 7 months postoperatively demonstrate a healed periprosthetic humerus fracture.
|
 |
