Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2017 Nov 30:11:1380-1393.
doi: 10.2174/1874325001711011380. eCollection 2017.

Common Paediatric Elbow Injuries

Christopher E Hill  1 , Stephen Cooke  2
Affiliations
Review

Common Paediatric Elbow Injuries

Christopher E Hill et al. Open Orthop J. .

Abstract

Background: Paediatric elbow injuries account for a large proportion of childrens' fractures. Knowledge of common injuries is essential to understanding their assessment and correct management.

Methods: A selective literature search was performed and personal surgical experiences are reported.

Results: We have described the assessment and management of the five most common paediatric elbow injuries: supracondylar humeral fractures; lateral condyle fractures; medial epicondyle fractures; radial head and neck fractures; radial head subluxation.

Conclusion: Understanding of the ossification centres around the paediatric elbow is essential to correctly assessing and managing the common injuries that we have discussed in the review. Outcomes after these injuries are usually favourable with restoration of normal anatomy.

Keywords: Humeral fractures; Lateral condyle fractures; Medial epicondyle fractures; Neck fractures; Paediatric elbow; Radial head.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. (1)
Fig. (1)
The anterior humeral line intersecting the middle third of the capitellum ossification centre.
Fig. (2)
Fig. (2)
Baumann’s angle, formed by the intersection of a line drawn down the humeral shaft axis and a line drawn along the physeal line of the lateral condyle.
Fig. (3)
Fig. (3)
AP radiograph of Wilkin’s-modified Gartland Grade 1 supracondylar humeral fracture.
Fig. (4)
Fig. (4)
AP and lateral radiographs of Wilkin’s-modified Gartland Grade 2a supracondylar humeral fracture.
Fig. (5)
Fig. (5)
Lateral radiograph of Wilkin’s-modified Gartland Grade 2b supracondylar humeral fracture.
Fig. (6)
Fig. (6)
AP and lateral radiographs of Wilkin’s-modified Gartland Grade 3 supracondylar humeral fracture.
Fig. (7)
Fig. (7)
AP radiograph of a Type 1 Jakob Classification lateral condyle fracture.
Fig. (8)
Fig. (8)
AP radiograph of a Type 3 Jakob Classification lateral condyle fracture.
Fig. (9)
Fig. (9)
Medial epicondyle fracture with incarceration of fragment within the joint. Note the degree of joint displacement as well as the physical presence of the fracture fragment within.
Fig. (10)
Fig. (10)
The same patient following open reduction internal fixation of the fracture. Note the size of the “unseen” cartilaginous portion attached to the bony fragment indicated by the washer position to appreciate the full extent of the injury.
Fig. (11)
Fig. (11)
Type IV radial neck fracture as defined by the Judet classification.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Valerio G., Gallè F., Mancusi C., Di Onofrio V., Colapietro M., Guida P., Liguori G. Pattern of fractures across pediatric age groups: Analysis of individual and lifestyle factors. BMC Public Health. 2010;10:656. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-10-656. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Cooper C., Dennison E.M., Leufkens H.G., Bishop N., van Staa T.P. Epidemiology of childhood fractures in Britain: A study using the general practice research database. J. Bone Miner. Res. 2004;19(12):1976–1981. doi: 10.1359/jbmr.040902. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Beaty J.H., Kasser J.R. Fractures about the elbow. Instr. Course Lect. 1995;44:199–215. - PubMed
    1. Otsuka N.Y., Kasser J.R. Supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. J. Am. Acad. Orthop. Surg. 1997;5(1):19–26. doi: 10.5435/00124635-199701000-00003. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Rennie L., Court-Brown C.M., Mok J.Y., Beattie T.F. The epidemiology of fractures in children. Injury. 2007;38(8):913–922. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2007.01.036. - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources