Functional results of displaced lateral condyle fractures of the humerus with four-week K-wire fixation in children
Abstract
Methods: The study included 69 children (19 girls, 50 boys; mean age 6.1 years; range 2 to 12 years) with displaced (>2 mm) lateral condyle fractures of the humerus. All the patients were treated by open reduction and internal fixation with two K-wires for four weeks. The fractures were classified according to the criteria by Milch and Badelon and functional results were evaluated according to the criteria by Hardacre et al. The mean follow-up period was 39 months (range 26 to 89 months).
Results: No complications were seen in the early followup period. On final evaluations, the carrying angles of both elbows were equal in 57 patients (82.6%), with a mean difference of 5 degrees in 11 patients (15.9%). The range of motion of the humeroulnar joint on the affected side differed from that on the contralateral side in only 15 patients (21.7%) with a mean of 5 degrees. Radiographic evaluations showed overgrowth of the lateral condyle and new bone formation over the condyle in 33 patients (47.8%). Functional results were excellent in 54 patients (78.3%) and good in 15 patients (21.7%). Nonunion did not occur.
Conclusion: Treatment of displaced lateral condyle fractures of the humerus with open reduction and f o u r-week Kwire fixation proved to be efficient to achieve satisfactory functional results.
Keywords
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Health Care Administration
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Unal Boz
This is me
Ali Ulusal
This is me
Hakan Vuruskaner
This is me
Yavuz Aydinoglu
This is me
Publication Date
September 11, 2006
Submission Date
March 7, 2014
Acceptance Date
-
Published in Issue
Year 2005 Volume: 39 Number: 3