We studied nerve injuries caused by supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children.
From April 1988 to May 1993, we treated 60 children with supracondylar fractures of the humerus. Ten of these cases (16.7%) had nerve injuries and according to Smith's classification, seven were the complete displacement type and three were the moderate displacement type.
Sixteen cases with nerve injuries were examined. The mean duration of follow-up was 7.7 months ranging from 2 to 16 months. The radial nerve was injured in 7 cases, median nerve in 6 cases, radial and median nerves in 2 cases and ulnar nerve in 1 case. Neurolysis was performed in only 2 cases. In radial nerve palsy, recovery of extensor digitorum communis was seen within 4-8 weeks (mean, 7.3 weeks). In median nerve palsy, recovery of flexor pollicis longus began within 4-13 weeks (mean, 9.4 weeks).
In the complete displacement type, neural complications were found at a considerably higher rate (43.8%). Almost all cases obtained good results with conservative treatment.
