Pediatric Fractures of the Hand, Wrist, Forearm, and Elbow-Case Lateral Condyle Fractures

Case Lateral Condyle Fractures

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Summary:<br /><br />A 5-year-old girl fell off a trampoline and suffered a displaced lateral condyle fracture. The recommended treatment is surgical fixation for any displacement greater than 2 mm. Unstable and irreducible fractures should undergo open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF) using a lateral incision over the condyle to protect the blood supply. Reduction can be aided with forearm pronation and elbow flexion before percutaneous pinning. Cubitus varus, a lateral bony overgrowth, is the most common deformity associated with this type of fracture. In this particular case, an open reduction was performed, and immobilization was discontinued at 4 weeks due to sufficient healing. The pins used for fixation are typically removed at this visit, but patients may be placed back into a long arm cast for 2 more weeks if the healing is insufficient.

Keywords

trampoline

fracture

surgical fixation

ORIF

lateral incision

blood supply

cubitus varus

open reduction

immobilization

pins