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Case Reports
. 2005 Mar 9:6:13.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-6-13.

Complex pediatric elbow injury: an uncommon case

H Sharma  1 , R Ayer, G R Taylor
Affiliations
Case Reports

Complex pediatric elbow injury: an uncommon case

H Sharma et al. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. .

Abstract

Background: There is paucity of literature describing complex elbow trauma in the pediatric population. We described a case of an uncommon pediatric elbow injury comprised of lateral condyle fracture associated with posterolateral dislocation of elbow.

Case presentation: A 12-year-old boy sustained a direct elbow trauma and presented with Milch type II lateral condyle fracture associated with posterolateral dislocation of elbow. Elbow dislocation was managed by closed reduction. The elbow stability was assessed under general anaesthesia, followed by open K-wiring for the lateral condylar fracture fixation. The patient had an uneventful recovery with an excellent outcome at 39 months follow-up.

Conclusion: Complex pediatric elbow injuries are quite unusual to encounter, the management of such fractures can be technically demanding. Concomitant elbow dislocation should be managed by closed reduction followed by open reduction and internal fixation (K-wires or cannulated screws) of the lateral condyle fracture.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Preoperative anteroposterior radiograph of the elbow revealing fracture lateral condyle in association with posterolateral dislocation of elbow.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Preoperative lateral radiograph of the elbow revealing elbow dislocation.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Postoperative anteroposterior radiograph of the elbow revealing internal fixation of the lateral condyle fracture with the help of 2 K-wires. The elbow dislocation was reduced first by closed technique.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Postoperative lateral radiograph of the elbow revealing internal fixation of the lateral condyle fracture with the help of 2 K-wires.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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