Hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of distal humerus fractures

Intra-articular comminuted fractures of the distal humerus may be challenging. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is the mainstay of treatment, but if anatomic reduction is not possible, total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) has been the best-known alternative so far. The lifelong limitations and the replacement of the ulna, a part of the joint that is not involved in the fracture, have led to new developments and fresh inputs for elbow hemiarthroplasty (EHA). Thus, EHA has become an emerging option for active patients who are not amenable to lifelong activity limitations after TEA. Here, we present a systematic review of the current literature on EHA for the treatment of non-reconstructible distal humerus fractures with a special focus on the comparison with TEA in such cases. Furthermore, we present an educational case managed by the main author.