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International Orthopaedics
Published in: International Orthopaedics 7/2017

01-07-2017 | Original Paper

Paediatric lateral humeral condylar fracture outcomes at twelve years follow-up as compared with age and sex matched paired controls

Authors: Juha-Jaakko Sinikumpu, Tytti Pokka, Sarita Victorzon, Eija-Leena Lindholm, Willy Serlo

Published in: International Orthopaedics | Issue 7/2017

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Abstract

Introduction

Lateral humeral condylar fractures are the second most common elbow fractures in children. We present the long-term clinical and radiographic results.

Material and methods

All children (<16 years) in the geographic catchment area with lateral condylar fracture were asked to participate and 32 (76.2%) patients enrolled. Clinical and functional results are compared with randomly selected but age and sex matched normal controls at 12.4 years (range 10.6 to 16.0).

Results

Unsatisfactory clinical outcomes were found in 40.6% of the fracture cases vs. 6.3% controls (P = 0.003), according to Flynn’s criteria. Flexion-extension range of motion was decreased >5° in 13 cases (40.6%) and in four controls (12.5%, P = 0.013). One in four (N = 8, 25%) of the cases showed cubitus varus >5° and 15.7% (N = 5) had cubitus valgus >5°, compared to one cubitus valgus (3.1%) in controls (P = 0.002).

Conclusion

The majority of the adolescent and young adult patients (59.4%) with a previous paediatric lateral humeral condylar fracture had recovered well and showed good or excellent overall outcomes according to Flynn’s criteria for elbow assessment after a mean of 12.4 years post-injury. Long-term sequelae was unchanged regardless of treatment.
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Metadata
Title
Paediatric lateral humeral condylar fracture outcomes at twelve years follow-up as compared with age and sex matched paired controls
Authors
Juha-Jaakko Sinikumpu
Tytti Pokka
Sarita Victorzon
Eija-Leena Lindholm
Willy Serlo
Publication date
01-07-2017
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
International Orthopaedics / Issue 7/2017
Print ISSN: 0341-2695
Electronic ISSN: 1432-5195
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-017-3451-0

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