Surgical treatment of intercondylar fractures of the humerus in adults.

The rarity, complexity, and intra-articular involvement of intercondylar fractures, along with the osteopenic nature of the elbow joint, make surgical repair of these fractures a difficult and challenging task. When the procedure is properly executed, open reduction and internal fixation can promote proper reduction of the articular fragments and allow early range-of-motion exercises, which are so important for good functional results. We report the results of 30 such fractures treated surgically with good or excellent results. The pros and cons of the transolecranon approach are discussed, along with the options of fracture fixation and importance of early postoperative mobilization.