Supracondylar fractures in children

Abstract

Musculoskeletal trauma accounts for approximately 15% of all childhood injuries (Devito, 1996). Fractures are a common injury sustained with trauma. Due to anatomic, biomechanical, and physiologic differences between adult and pediatric bones, patterns of fractures change as a child's age increases. The treatment of a pediatric fracture may also differ from that of an adult due to these differences. This article discusses one common type of pediatric fracture, the supracondylar fracture. The etiology, incidence, classification system, and treatment of this fracture will be explained. In addition, potential complications and nursing management of a supracondylar fracture are included.