Osteosynthesis of Old Unreduced Fractures of the Lateral Humeral Condyle

Abstract

Seven patients who had undergone osteosynthesis three weeks or more after injury were evaluated at a mean of 3 years and 8 months following surgery. Pain, lateral instability, elbow motion, carrying angle, ulnar nerve palay, and roentgenographic stature and measurements were determined for both the normal and the involved extremities. Functional results were satisfactory in all cases except for one patient with avascular necrosis and another patient whose preoperative elbow motion was extremely limited. Cubitus varus deformity caused by reduction was the most common complication. Avascular necrosis was thought to be caused by stripping of the all common extensor tendons. Early epiphyseal arrest occurred in a patient who had undergone surgery 1 year and 4 months after injury.
Osteosynthesis within 5 months after injury is successful with no significant complications. Early epiphyseal arrest may occur if a patient undergoes osteosynthesis one year or more after injury, but osteosynthesis should be done considering the bad result of non-treated fractures of the lateral humeral condyle.