Surgical Treatment of Transcondylar Fractures of the Humerus with the Transcondylar Plate.

It is difficult to treat transcondylar fractures of the distal humerus in adults. Stabilization of these fractures is difficult because the distal fragments are small and large portion of their surface is covered with articular cartilage. Furthermore, osteoporotic patients lose elbow motion due to immobilization by the splint after the ORIF. The “ONI Transcondylar Plate” is an instrument for the transcondylar distal humerus fractures. The plate is applied to the lateral aspect of the humeral shaft. The condylar screw is inserted in the central portion of the condyle. The insertion of the locking nut over the condylar screw’s head provides stable fixation of the fracture. This fixation with the plate allows early mobilization of the elbow. Although to date we have experienced only two cases, the transcondylar plate is considered to be a useful fixation material, because of its ability to prevent shortening of fracture site and reduce the period of postoperative immobilization.