Abstract
Operative therapies are often required for fractures of the lateral humeral condyle in children. Although various operative methods have been attempted for internal fixation, none has been generally accepted. In the present study, the prognoses in 80 children who were treated for fractures of the lateral humeral condyle were surveyed. The followed-up period was average of 4 years and 3 months after the fracture, with a minimum of 4 months and a maximum of 17 years and 3 months. For dynamic analysis, a two-dimensional photo-elastic experiment was carried out using models prepared for the internal fixation method used. The findings obtained suggested that the fractures were initiated in the center of the articulate surface and progressed toward the upper lateral side. Theref ore, internal fixation of the fractures of the lateral humeral condyle in children appear to be both clinically and dynamically effective when one K-wire is used for prevention of rotation fractured fragments after fixation with a screw.
