Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Supracondylar Humerus Fractures

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgical Emergencies

  • 1674 Accesses

Abstract

Supracondylar humerus fractures are the most common pediatric elbow fractures. This chapter will provide the information necessary to understand the relevant anatomy, etiology, and incidence of these common injuries. The technique to treat the fracture will be discussed in detail as well as the potential complications.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Landin LA. Fracture patterns in children: analysis of 8,682 fractures with special reference to incidence, etiology and secular changes in a Swedish urban population, 1950-1979. Acta Orthop Scand Suppl. 1983;202:1–109.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Otsuka NY, Kasser JR. Supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 1997;5:19–26.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Omid R, Choi PD, Skaggs DL. Supracondylar humeral fractures in children. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008;90:1121–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Kasser J, Beaty J. Supracondylar fractures of the distal humerus. In: Beaty JH, Kasser JR, editors. Rockwood and Green’s fractures in children. 6th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2006. p. 543–89.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Cheng JC, Lam TP, Maffulli N. Epidemiological features of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in Chinese children. J Pediatr Orthop B. 2001;10:63–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Farnsworth CL, Silva PD, Mubarak SJ. Etiology of supracondylar humerus fractures. J Pediatr Orthop. 1998;18:38–42.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Mahan ST, May CD, Kocher MS. Operative management of displaced flexion supracondylar humerus fractures in children. J Pediatr Orthop. 2007;27:551–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Blakemore LC, Cooperman DR, Thompson GH, Wathey C, Ballock RT. Compartment syndrome in ipsilateral humerus and forearm fractures in children. Clin Orthop Rel Res. 2000;376:32–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Babal JC, Mehlman CT, Klein G. Nerve injuries associated with pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures: a meta-analysis. J Pediatr Orthop. 2010;30:253–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Skaggs DL, Mirzayan R. The posterior fat pad sign in association with occult fracture of the elbow in children. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1999;81:1429–33.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Herman MJ, Boardman MJ, Hoover JR, Chafetz RS. Relationship of the anterior humeral line to the capitellar ossific nucleus: variability with age. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009;91:2188–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Wilkins KE. Fractures and dislocations of the elbow region. In: Rockwood CA, Wilkins KE, King RE, editors. Fractures in children, vol. 3. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott Co; 1984. p. 363–575.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Leitch KK, Kay RM, Femino JD, Tolo VT, Storer SK, Skaggs DL. Treatment of multidirectionally unstable supracondylar humeral fractures in children: a modified Gartland type-IV fracture. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2006;88:980–85.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. O’Hara LJ, Barlow JW, Clarke NMP. Displaced supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2000;82-B:204–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Parikh SN, Wall EJ, Foad S, Wiersema B, Nolte B. Displaced Type II extension supracondylar humerus fractures: do they all need pinning? J Pediatr Orthop. 2004;24:380–84.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Mehlman CT, Strub WM, Roy DR, Wall EJ, Crawford AH. The effect of surgical timing on the perioperative complications of treatment of supracondylar humeral fractures in children. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2001;83:323–27.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Gupta N, Kay RM, Leitch K, Femino JD, Tolo VT, Skaggs DL. Effect of surgical delay on perioperative complications and need for open reduction in supracondylar humerus fractures in children. J Pediatr Orthop. 2004;24:245–48.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Bales JG, Spencer HT, Wong MA, Fong YJ, Zionts LE, Silva M. The effects of surgical delay on the outcome of pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures. J Pediatr Orthop. 2010;30:785–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Iobst CA, Spurdle C, King WF, Lopez M. Percutaneous pinning of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures with the semisterile technique: the Miami experience. J Pediatr Orthop. 2007;27:17–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Bashyal RK, Chu JY, Schoenecker PL, Dobbs MB, Luhmann SJ, Gordon JE. Complications after pinning of supracondylar distal humerus fractures. J Pediatr Orthop. 2009;29:704–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Sankar WN, Hebela NM, Skaggs DL, Flynn JM. Loss of pin fixation in displaced supracondylar humeral fractures in children: causes and prevention. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2007;89:713–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. O’Driscoll SW, Spinner RJ, McKee MD, Kibler WB, Hastings 2nd H. Morrey BF, Kato H, Takayama S, Imatani J, Toh S, Graham HK: tardy posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow due to cubitus varus. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2001;83:1358–69.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Bae DS, Kadiyala RK. Waters PM: acute compartment syndrome in children: contemporary diagnosis, treatment, and outcome. J Pediatr Orthop. 2001;5:680–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 1 Texas Station Court, Suite 300, Timonium, MD, 21093, USA

    Joshua M. Abzug MD

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, Shriners Hospital for Children, 3551 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA

    Dan A. Zlotolow

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shriners Hospital for Children, 3551 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA

    Scott H. Kozin

Authors
  1. Joshua M. Abzug MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Dan A. Zlotolow
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Scott H. Kozin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joshua M. Abzug MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Dept. of Orthopedics, University of Maryland School of Medicin, Texas Station Court, Suite 300 1, Timonium, 21093, Maryland, USA

    Joshua M. Abzug

  2. , Orthopedic Center for Children, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, A Street, Suite 133-1 3601, Philadelphia, 19134-1095, Pennsylvania, USA

    Martin J. Herman

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Abzug, J.M., Zlotolow, D.A., Kozin, S.H. (2012). Supracondylar Humerus Fractures. In: Abzug, J., Herman, M. (eds) Pediatric Orthopedic Surgical Emergencies. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8005-2_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8005-2_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-8004-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-8005-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation