Abstract
Muscle disability is a common sequel after fracture management. Previous research has shown divergent results concerning muscle-power recovery after bone healing. This study has investigated the muscle function of wrist extensors after lateral condylar fracture in children, as evaluated by a hand-held dynamometer and compared with sex- and age-matched children. From 1999 to 2004, 20 patients (13 boys and seven girls; mean age: 9 years and 4 months) with displaced lateral condylar fracture of the humerus were treated by open reduction and internal fixation with Kirschner wires (K-wire). The duration of K-wire fixation was 35 days and the mean follow-up time was 50 months. A total of 180 healthy age-, sex- and weight-matched children were used as control groups. A paired Student’s test was applied for the analysis of statistical significance. The range of motion of the elbow and radiographic findings were not significantly different between the injured limb and normal control groups. The maximum isometric power of wrist-extensor muscles after surgical treatment of lateral condylar fracture of the humerus in final follow-up was not statistically different from that in the normal control children. Muscle power therefore recovers to its normal status after the healing of lateral condylar fracture of the humerus in children.
Résumé
Les troubles fonctionnels musculaires sont une séquelle relativement fréquente après le traitement d’une fracture. Les résultats des recherches faites de façon à évaluer la fonction musculaire, montrent, une fois l’os guéri, des résultats divergents. Cette étude de la fonction musculaire a été réalisée au niveau des extenseurs du poignet après fracture du condyle externe du coude, en utilisant un dynamomètre et en comparant les résultats en fonction du sexe et de l’âge. De 1999 à 2004, 20 patients (13 garçons, 7 filles; l’âge moyen: 9 ans et 4 mois) ont présenté une fracture déplacée du condyle externe de l’humérus traitée par réduction sanglante et brochage. Le temps de fixation par broche a été de 35 jours et le suivi moyen a été de 50 mois. Une analyse comparative de 180 critères a été réalisée. Il n’y a pas eu de différences significatives en ce qui concerne le résultat sur la fonction du coude, la mobilité et la consolidation. De même, il n’y pas eu de différences significatives en ce qui concerne la tension isométrique des extenseurs du poignet comparés au membre contro latéral, comparé sur une série d’enfants contrôle. On peut en conclure que le muscle retrouve une fonction complète après guérison d’une fracture déplacée du condyle externe chez l’enfant.
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Chou, PH., Feng, CK., Chiu, FY. et al. Isometric measurement of wrist-extensor power following surgical treatment of displaced lateral condylar fracture of the humerus in children. International Orthopaedics (SICO 32, 679–684 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-007-0380-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-007-0380-3