Supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children--an epidemiological study of 132 consecutive cases

Abstract

132 consecutive cases of supracondylar fractures of the humerus admitted between July, 1997 and February, 1999 were included in a prospective study. There were 93 boys and 39 girls. The age ranges from one to 14 years old. The non-dominant arm was more often injured. Ethnic Malay constituted the majority. Accidents mainly occurred at home with a peak between 4 pm and 8 pm. Majority was presented within 24 hours of injury. Type III fracture with distal fragment in extension predominated. Nerve injuries occurred in 9 cases in which median nerve was the most commonly affected. There was only one open fracture and it was complicated by absent radial pulse and median nerve injury.