Operative treatment of displaced medial epicondyle fractures in children and adolescents

Abstract

Twenty-five patients who sustained displaced medial epicondyle fractures were treated by various surgical techniques. There were 18 males and 7 females. The mean age was 13.7 years. Surgical outcome was evaluated by use of the Elbow Assessment Score of the Japanese Orthopedic Association. Many variables that might influence the surgical outcome were considered. The results revealed no significant correlation between surgical outcome and injury mechanism, displacement, interval from injury to surgery, dislocation, fixation method, or duration of immobilization. The motion arc was moderately decreased in 1 patient treated by use of screw fixation. Moderate instability to valgus stress was noted in another patient treated by use of pin fixation (K-wires). The treatment results were all scored, and the patients with medial epicondylar fractures (displacement >5 mm) showed good to excellent results with operative treatment. Residual deformity did not compromise cosmetic appearance or clinical results. Therefore, operative treatment is a suitable choice for managing these fractures in children and adolescents.