Fracture of the humeral condyles in children: 49 cases evaluated after 18-45 years

Abstract

We evaluated 49 children with fracture of the humeral condyles 18-45 years after the injury. 20 fractures with a displacement of 2-10 mm with no tilting of the osteochondral fragment had been treated without reduction and with good results. 16 fractures with marked displacement and tilting of the osteochondral fragment had been treated surgically, with good results. 13 patients had been treated for old, displaced fractures both operatively and nonoperatively, with poor results. Nonunion developed in 4 cases and aseptic necrosis in 6. Arthrosis of the elbow was found in cases complicated by aseptic necrosis and nonunion or in old fractures when resection of the humeral condyle was done, but it was never observed in uncomplicated fractures.