Medial epicondyle fractures in the pediatric population

Humeral medial epicondyle fractures in the pediatric population account for up to 20% of elbow fractures, 60% of which are associated with elbow dislocation. Isolated injuries can occur from either direct trauma or avulsion. Medial epicondyle fractures also occur in combination with elbow dislocatio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Vol. 20; no. 4; p. 223
Main Authors Gottschalk, Hilton P, Eisner, Eric, Hosalkar, Harish S
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.04.2012
Subjects
Child
Elbow Joint - blood supply
Elbow Joint - injuries
Fracture Fixation, Internal - methods
Humans
Humeral Fractures - classification
Humeral Fractures - diagnosis
Humeral Fractures - epidemiology
Humeral Fractures - surgery
Humeral Fractures - therapy
Immobilization
Joint Dislocations - diagnostic imaging
Joint Dislocations - epidemiology
Joint Dislocations - surgery
Multiple Trauma - surgery
Radiography
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:Humeral medial epicondyle fractures in the pediatric population account for up to 20% of elbow fractures, 60% of which are associated with elbow dislocation. Isolated injuries can occur from either direct trauma or avulsion. Medial epicondyle fractures also occur in combination with elbow dislocations. Traditional management by cast immobilization increasingly is being replaced with early fixation and mobilization. Relative indications for surgical fixation include ulnar nerve entrapment, gross elbow instability, and fractures in athletic or other patients who require high-demand upper extremity function. Absolute indications for surgical intervention are an incarcerated fragment in the joint or open fractures. Radiographic assessment of these injuries and their true degree of displacement remain controversial.
ISSN:1067-151X
1940-5480
DOI:10.5435/JAAOS-20-04-223