DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.cc.24.00098 ISSN: 2160-3251
Natural Recovery of Very Limited Elbow Flexion After Rare Lateral Humeral Condylar Fracture in a 4-Year-Old Boy
Koki Ohta, Yuichiro Matsui, Hiroyuki Kato, Daisuke Kawamura, Takeshi Endo, Daisuke Momma, Tamotsu Kamishima, Tatsunori Horie, Hirofumi Miyaji, Norimasa IwasakiCase:
A 4-year-old boy developed malunion after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of a rare lateral condylar humeral fracture running from the lateral humerus, through the trochlear cartilage, to the medial trochlea. Five months after ORIF, the active elbow flexion was limited to 50°. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a step-off of the anterior trochlear cartilage, causing the limited flexion. After conservative observation for 5 years, the flexion improved to 135° and MRI showed that the step-off had disappeared.
Conclusion:
This case indicates that it is possible for pediatric patients to recover their range of motion following malunion of an elbow fracture.