Joy Stick technique assisted by 3D printing in the treatment of type C3 distal humerus frac-tures
Zhen Wanyuan
Tong Feifei
Liu Ximing
Wang Guodong
Huang Ming
Abstract：Objective To evaluate the efficacy of 3D printing-assisted Joy Stick technique in managing type C3 distal humerus fractures.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 36 patients with type C3 dis-tal humerus fractures,who were admitted to the Department of Traumatic Orthopaedics or Orthopaedics of the two hospitals of the authors from Apr.2022 to Mar.2024.This cohort included 19 male and 17 female patients,with a mean age of 56.8(range 18-74)years.Injury mechanisms were as follows:5 cases of ground-level falls,17 road traffic accidents,and 14 falls from height.Preoperatively,3D printed models were manufactured based on the CT da-ta to assist in surgical planning.A posterior midline approach was employed to access the fracture site through both sides of the triceps muscle.The Joy Stick technique was used to reduce the medial and lateral condyles,followed by bilateral plate fixation.The union time,range of motion of the affected elbows and Mayo elbow performance score(MEPS)at the final follow-up were recorded and analyzed.Results The 36 patients were followed up for 14.2(range 12-16)months.The time to union ranged from 10 to 16 weeks,mean 12.6 weeks.The average elbow range of motion of the affected limb was 116.3°±9.4°,and the MEPS ranged from 66 to 98(mean 84.7).Based on MEPS,functional outcomes were rated as excellent in 18 cases,good in 13,moderate in 4,and poor in 1,showing a good to excellent rate of 86.1%.Conclusion 3D printing-assisted Joy Stick technique is a safe and effective meth-od for treating type C3 distal humerus fractures.
Keywords：Type C3 distal humeral fracture3D printingJoy Stick techniqueBilateral approach
Publication Date：2026-02-15
Online Publishing Date：2026-03-23(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：5( 123-127 )