Lateral Condyle of Humerus Fracture S42.453A 812.42

Lateral Condyle Fracture xray

Lateral Condyle Fracture xray

Lateral Condyle Fracture crpp

Lateral Condyle Fracture crpp

ICD-9 Classification / Treatment
Etiology / Natural History Associated Injuries / Differential Diagnosis
Anatomy Complications
Clinical Evaluation Follow-up Care
Xray / Diagnositc Tests Review References

synonyms: lateral condyle fracture, pediatric lateral condyle fracture,

Lateral Condyle Fracture ICD-10

 

A- initial encounter for closed fracture

B- initial encounter for open fracture

D- subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing

G- subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing

K- subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion

P- subsequent encounter for fracture with malunion

S- sequela

Lateral Condyle Fracture ICD-9

  • 812.42(closed), 812.52(open)

Lateral Condyle Fracture Etiology / Epidemiology / Natural History

  • 10%-20% of all pediatric elbow fractures (Mirsky EC, J Orhtop Trauma 1997;11:117-120)
  • lateral approach 5-6cm incision ; interval between brachioradialis and triceps (Badelon O, JPO 8;31:1988)
  • tardy ulnar nerve palsies occur usually occur 20 yrs after lateral condyle fracture

Lateral Condyle Fracture Anatomy

  • fall on outstretched arm with varus moment leads to avulsion of lateral condyle by the common extensor origin

Lateral Condyle Fracture Clinical Evaluation

  • Fall onto outstretched hand or direct blow.
  • Pain and swelling in the lateral elbow.
  • Document NV exam before and after any treatment.

Lateral Condyle Fracture Xray / Diagnositc Tests

  • A/P. lateral and oblique xrays
  • Consider arthrography to assess intra-particular extention of fracture and adequacy of reduction. (Marzo JM, JPO 1990;10:317-321)

Lateral Condyle Fracture Classification / Treatment (Jakob R, JBJS Br 1975;57:430-436)

  • Type 1 = nondisplaced; <2mm of fracture displacement.  Generally stable if fracture does not extend into joint. RX=long arm posterior mold for 5days.  XOP at 5 days.  If Fracture remains unchanged LAC.  F/U with XOP’s at 14 days.  Continue with every 14-21 day XOP’s/LAC until fracture union.  May require 8-12 weeks to achieve union.  If >12wks, consider surgical fixation.
  • Type 2=lateral displacement greater than 2mm, and the joint surface is usually disrupted.  Rx=CRPP (Mintzer CM, JPO 1994;14:462-465) If conpression is needed across Fracture site consider pushing on fragment with the chuck end of a 4.5mm drill placed over the iniial K-wire.  Also consider compression screw.  Confirm reduction with arthrogram.
  • Type 3 = significant displacement including radiocapitellar joint displacement.  Rx=see Type 2.
  • Open reduction via Kocher approach (tticeps-brachioradialis).  Avoid dissection posterior to lateral condyle to preserve blood supply to capitellum. 

Lateral Condyle Fracture Associated Injuries / Differential Diagnosis

Lateral Condyle Fracture Complications

  • nonunion, capitellar osteonecrosis, fishtail  deformity of the distal humerus, premature growth arrest of capitellar physis, progressive lateral overgowth and cubitus varus, lateral prominence of the distal humerus
  • excessive valgus of the elbow may lead to ulnar nerve palsy
  • nonunion may lead to elbow instability, pain, and apprehension.  Elbow ROM is typically well maintained.

Lateral Condyle Fracture Follow-up Care

  • LAC for 4-6 weeks.  K-wires are removed when there radiograhpic signs of union(3-6wks). 

Lateral Condyle Fracture Review References