Among active subjects with an acute intra-articular distal humeral fracture, elbow hemiarthroplasty (EHA) has emerged as an effective and reliable alternative treatment regimen, as per a recent study of Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. This analysis comprised a total of 24 active patients with (65 years old mean age) who received EHA by 1 of 4 trained elbow surgeons. The mean follow up of the analysis was of 20 months.

Given that 48 point score is assigned to describe a normal elbow, the median Oxford Elbow Score of the participants was 40 points. Twenty-one patients showed “good to excellent results”, two showed “fair”, and one showed “poor” outcomes. Further, given the score of 100 is assigned to describe a normal elbow, the median Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 85 points. Nineteen patients exhibited "good to excellent", four showed "fair", and one showed "poor" outcomes. The median pain severity score noticed was two, whereas 0 exhibited as a pain-free elbow. The median supination/pronation and flexion/extension arcs were 160° and 110°, respectively. Seven participants showed complications; three out of them went through reoperation due to stiffness, which was handled with open release.

These outcomes suggest that EHA is a good alternative for the treatment of an acute intra-articular distal humeral fracture which is inappropriate for internal fixation and open reduction.