Objective To compare the clinical outcomes of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) for type C inter-condylar fractures of the distal humerus in the elderly. Methods Twenty-two patients who were treated with ORIF or TEA from April 2003 to September 2009 were included in the study. All fractures were OTA classification 13C. Among them, 10 patients who were treated with ORIF were follow up for 8-56 months, while 12 patients who were treated with TEA were followed up for 15-54 months. The Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) and the complications were compared. Results Using the MEPS, there were 2 in excellent, 4 in good, 4 in fair in the patients treated with ORIF. Complications included heterotopic ossifications (2 cases) and ulnar nerve dysfunction (2 cases).There were 6 in excellent, 4 in good, 2 in fair in the patients treated with TEA. Complications included 1heterotopic ossification (1 case), ulnar nerve dysfunction (1 case), the weakness of musculus triceps brachii (1 case). The patients treated with TEA had significantly better range of motion (107.5° vs 84.5°, P=0.007),also had better MEPS (87.9 vs 75.5, P=0.047) than those with ORIF had ones. Conclusion TEA is a liable option for type C inter-condylar fractures of the distal humerus in the elderly.