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Management of Neglected Lateral Condyle Fracture of Humerus

A Comparison between Two Modalities of Fixation

Indian Journal of Orthopaedics volume 52, pages 423–429 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Implant for fixation of neglected fracture lateral condyle humerus remains an issue of controversy. This study compares the clinical and radiological outcome of fixation with Kirschner wire (K-wire) and with cancellous screw (CS) in neglected fracture lateral condyle humerus

Materials and Methods

42 patients of neglected lateral condyle humerus fracture, treated either by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with K-wire or ORIF with CS were included in study. The comparisons were made in term of slab immobilization time, union time, improved range of motion (ROM), final achieved carrying angle, and functional outcome measured by Liverpool Elbow Score (LES)

Results

There were 22 patients in Group I with mean age 7.8 years and 20 patients in Group II with mean age 7.3 years. Mean delay in presentation was 12.9 versus 15.6 weeks (P > 0.05). Mean followup was 26.9 versus 26.7 months. Mean duration of immobilization was 11.6 versus 9.4 weeks (P < 0.001). Improved carrying angle was 6.8° versus 9.7° (P < 0.05). Mean gain in ROM was 17.7° versus 27.5° (P < 0.05). Mean LES was 8.15 versus 8.18 (P > 0.05). Premature closure of physis was observed in two patients. Pin tract infection was seen in three of Group I (P > 0.05)

Conclusion

There was no difference in LES, irrespective of implant used. Screw was better in terms of duration of slab, improvement in carrying angle and ROM

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India

    Naiyer Asif & Ashish Kumar

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, Hindu Rao Medical College, New Delhi, India

    Syed Ifthekar

  3. Department of Orthopaedics, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, 110 001, India

    Rahul Ranjan, Abhinav Sinha & Suresh Chand

Authors
  1. Rahul Ranjan
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  2. Abhinav Sinha
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  3. Naiyer Asif
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  4. Syed Ifthekar
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  5. Ashish Kumar
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  6. Suresh Chand
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Correspondence to Rahul Ranjan.

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Ranjan, R., Sinha, A., Asif, N. et al. Management of Neglected Lateral Condyle Fracture of Humerus. IJOO 52, 423–429 (2018). https://doi.org/10.4103/ortho.IJOrtho_319_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/ortho.IJOrtho_319_16

Keywords

  • Cancellous screw
  • fracture lateral condyle of humerus
  • Kirschner wires
  • Liverpool Elbow Score

MeSH terms

  • Humerus
  • fracture fixation
  • osteosynthesis