What is supracondylar fracture of humerus?

What is supracondylar fracture of humerus?

Your child’s humerus is fractured (broken) near the elbow area, just above the joint. This is called a supracondylar (supra CON dy ler) humerus fracture. It is the most common type of elbow fracture and happens most often to children younger than 8 years old.

What is a Type 4 supracondylar humerus fracture?

Conclusions: In rare supracondylar fractures in children, multidirectional instability results in displacement into flexion and/or extension. This fracture can be classified as type IV according to the Gartland system, as it is less stable than a Gartland type-III extension supracondylar fracture.

What causes supracondylar humerus fracture?

The distal humerus anatomy is especially predisposed to injury because its configuration in two columns connected by thin bone represents a zone of weakness. Supracondylar fractures usually occur as a result of a fall from height or from sports or leisure or fall on outstretched hand( FOOSH).

How do you splint a supracondylar fracture?

VIII. Management

1. Splint initially. Long Arm Splint or Double Sugar-Tong Splint with elbow in 80-90 degrees flexion.
2. Cast. Longarm cast with Forearm in neutral rotation and elbow at 90 degrees. Cast for 3 weeks followed by XRay to demonstrate supracondylar callus. Active range of motion starts after three weeks of Casting.

What are the complications of supracondylar fracture of humerus?

Complications

• malunion: resulting in cubitus varus (varus deformity of the elbow, also known as gunstock deformity)
• ischemic contracture (Volkmann contracture) due to damage/occlusion to the brachial artery and resulting in volar compartment syndrome.
• damage to the ulnar nerve, median nerve, or radial nerve.

What is the commonest complication of supracondylar fracture of humerus?

Pin-site irritation and superficial infections are the most common complications seen. Cubitus varus remains another common complication, even with the use of closed reduction and pinning for management of most displaced fractures. Neurapraxias are seen in almost 10% of patients, with most resolving spontaneously.

What is the supracondylar region?

Bone – In children, the supracondylar region consists of a weak, thin bone located in the distal humerus. This area is bordered posteriorly by olecranon fossa, anteriorly by coronoid fossa and on both sides by respective supracondylar ridges.