Type four fracture of the medial epicondyle: a true indication for surgical intervention

Epidemiologic investigation of pediatric distal humerus fractures: An American insurance claims database study

BACKGROUND

Distal humerus elbow fractures are one of the most common traumatic fractures seen in pediatric patients and present as three main types: Supracondylar (SC), lateral condyle (LC), and medial epicondyle (ME) fractures.

AIM

To evaluate the epidemiology of pediatric distal humerus fractures (SC, LC, and ME) from an American insurance claims database.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed on patients 17 years and younger with the ICD 9 and 10 codes for SC, LC and ME fractures based on the IBM Truven MarketScan® Commercial and IBM Truven MarketScan Medicare Supplemental databases. Patients from 2015 to 2020 were queried for treatments, patient age, sex, length of hospitalization, and comorbidities.

RESULTS

A total of 1133 SC, 154 LC, and 124 ME fractures were identified. SC fractures had the highest percentage of operation at 83%, followed by LC (78%) and ME fractures (41%). Male patients were, on average, older than female patients for both SC and ME fractures.

CONCLUSION

In the insurance claims databases used, SC fractures were the most reported, followed by LC fractures, and finally ME fractures. Age was identified to be a factor for how a pediatric distal humerus fractures, with patients with SC and LC fractures being younger than those with ME fractures. The peak age per injury per sex was similar to reported historic central tendencies, despite reported trends for younger physiologic development.

Pediatric Medial Epicondyle Fracture Management: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

There remains controversy surrounding the treatment of pediatric medial epicondyle fractures. This systematic review examines the existing literature with the aim to elucidate optimal management strategies.

METHODS

A systematic review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was executed. All data collection was completed by August 01, 2018. Functional outcomes, diagnostic imaging, athlete management, union rates, ulnar nerve symptoms, surgical methods, surgical positioning, and posttreatment protocols were categorized and recorded. Frequency-weighted mean values were calculated with associated SDs.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven studies with 1022 patients met the inclusion criteria. Functional outcomes for patients were mostly good following operative and nonoperative management. The most common complication was a slight loss of elbow extension (7.6±5.9 degrees) and flexion (13.3±5.8 degrees). Operative treatment was associated with higher union rates than nonoperative management (700/725, 96% vs. 69/250, 28%; P<0.001). Standard diagnostic imaging techniques to measure displacement were unreliable with a newly proposed axial view having high inter-rater and intrarater reliability. The most common surgical method used was open reduction and internal fixation with Kirschner wires. Whereas surgical management of patients with associated ulnar nerve symptoms led to symptom resolution, nonoperative management occasionally led to the development of these symptoms. Elbow range of motion was initiated at ~2.8±1.4 (range, 0 to 8 wk) weeks after surgery and 3.4±1.2 (range, 3 to 5 wk) weeks without surgery (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Although there is still no consensus on treatment of pediatric medial epicondyle fractures, both operative and nonoperative approaches result in good outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV-therapeutic.

No difference in outcomes in a matched cohort of operative versus nonoperatively treated displaced medial epicondyle fractures

The purpose of our study was to compare the treatment outcomes and complications between operatively and nonoperatively treated displaced medial epicondyle fractures. Pediatric patients treated for an acute, displaced medial epicondyle fracture between 2005 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 22 operative participants were matched to 22 nonoperative participants, with an average displacement of 9.7 mm in both groups. There was no statistical difference in average length of immobilization, median time to full pronation/supination and flexion/extension, proportion of patients needing physical therapy, and complications. There were no statistical differences in outcomes between operative and nonoperatively treated, moderately displaced, pediatric medial epicondyle fractures. This suggests that operative and nonoperative interventions show equivalent outcomes for these injuries.

Treatment strategy and long-term functional outcome of traumatic elbow dislocation in childhood: a single centre study

PURPOSE

Traumatic elbow dislocation (TED) is the most common injury of large joints in children. There is an ongoing debate on the optimal treatment for TED. We aimed to assess the functional outcome after operative and nonoperative treatment of TED.

METHODS

We analysed the medical records of patients with TED treated at the University Children's Hospital, Basel, between March 2006 and June 2015. Functional outcome was assessed using the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) Sport and Music Module score. These scores were compared between nonoperatively and operatively treated patients.

RESULTS

A total of 37 patients (mean age 10.2 years, 5.2 to 15.3) were included. Of these, 21 (56.8%) children had undergone nonoperative treatment, with 16 (43.2%) patients having had operative treatment. After a mean follow-up of 5.6 years (1.2 to 5.9), MEPS and QuickDASH Sport and Music Module scores in the nonoperative group and operative group were similar: MEPS: 97.1 points (SD 4.6) versus 97.2 points (SD 2.6); 95% confidence interval (CI)-2.56 to 2.03); p = 0.53; QuickDASH Sport and Music Module score: 3.9 points (SD 6.1) versus 3.1 points (SD 4.6); 95% CI 2.60 to 4.17; p = 0.94. We noted no significant differences regarding the long-term functional outcome between the subgroup of children treated operatively versus those treated nonoperatively for TED with accompanying fractures of the medial epicondyle and medial condyle.

CONCLUSION

Functional outcome after TED was excellent, independent of the treatment strategy. If clear indications for surgery are absent, a nonoperative approach for TED should be considered.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III - therapeutic, retrospective, comparative study.

Outcomes of Nonoperative Pediatric Medial Humeral Epicondyle Fractures With and Without Associated Elbow Dislocation

BACKGROUND

Medial epicondyle fractures may occur in isolation or with associated elbow dislocation. In the absence of open fracture or fragment incarceration, nonoperative management with immobilization has been shown to result in generally successfully outcomes comparable with those reported after surgical fixation. However, no comparative investigation has assessed outcomes after nonoperative treatment based on the presence or absence of elbow dislocation.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted investigating all studies in the literature reporting nonoperative outcomes for isolated medial epicondyle fractures and fracture-dislocations. Databases included in this review were PubMed, Biosis Preview, SPORTDiscus, PEDro, and EMBASE. We sought to evaluate results related to the incidence and outcomes of bony nonunion and the incidence of elbow stiffness, pain, ulnar neuropathy, cubitus valgus deformity, and laxity between isolated fractures of the medial epicondyle and fracture-dislocations.

RESULTS

Review of the literature yielded 7 studied meeting appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria, comprising 81 total patients (n=42 patients with fracture-dislocations, n=39 patients with isolated fracture). Bony nonunion occurred in 69% (n=29) of patients with fracture-dislocation versus 49% (n=19) with isolated fractures (P=0.11); however, both groups had minimal clinical or functional disabilities at final follow-up. Decreased elbow flexion and extension range of motion were significantly more frequent after fracture-dislocation than isolated fractures [43% (n=18) vs. 15% (n=6), respectively, P=0.01], while patients rarely demonstrated pain, ulnar neuropathy, or deformity in the presence or absence of dislocation.

CONCLUSIONS

In the absence of absolute surgical indication, nonoperative management of isolated medical epicondyle fractures with or without concomitant elbow dislocation seems to be successful with few long-term complications leading to functional disability. However, increased rates of nonunion, elbow stiffness, and elbow laxity may occur with fracture-dislocations, and merit further study with validated functional outcome scores. Further comparative studies are necessary to determine the true indications and outcomes in nonoperatively managed medial epicondyle fractures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II-systematic review of level-II or level-I studies with inconsistent results.

Radiological, clinical and functional evaluation using the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire of children with medial epicondyle fractures treated surgically

PURPOSE

The main goal of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the clinical, functional and radiographic outcomes of displaced medial epicondyle fractures with or without associated elbow dislocation in children undergoing surgical treatment and to evaluate upper-extremity function with the Quick Disbilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Quick DASH) questionnaire. The hypothesis was that patients with associated elbow dislocation would have similar functional outcome to patients with displaced fractures with or without intra-articular entrapment of the medial epicondyle.

METHODS

A review of medical charts was performed to identify all children and adolescents who underwent surgical treatment for displaced medial epicondyle humeral fractures managed at a single institution. Patients with a closed fracture on plain radiographs, presence of growth cartilages and managed surgically were included in the study. Fractures were radiologically assessed on anteroposterior and lateral radiographs and rated according to Papavasiliou and Crawford classification. Functional outcome was measured with the Quick DASH questionnaire. Sixty-six patients met inclusion criteria, and 38 children presented with isolated displaced medial epicondyle fracture (Group A: type II and type III) and 28 with medial epicondyle fractures associated with elbow dislocation (Group B: type IV).

RESULTS

The Papavasiliou and Crawford system classified 36 fractures as type II (54.6%), two (3%) as type III and 28 as type IV (42.4%). All patients underwent open reduction. Fracture fixation was performed with K-wires in 26 (35%) children and a with single screw in 40 (65%). Mean follow-up was 37.5 months (range, 12-68). Overall complication rate was 18%. In particular, three adverse events (3/38, 8%) were recorded in Group -A and nine (9/28, 32%) in Group B (p = 0.003). Mean Quick DASH score at final follow-up was 4.6 ± 3.8 (range, 0-15.9) and was not significantly different between Groups A (5.4 ± 4.3; range, 0-15.9) and B (4.1 ± 3.5; range, 0-15.9) (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Children with type II, III and IV medial epicondyle fractures undergoing surgical treatment have good radiological, clinical and functional outcome but warrant special attention to detect intra-articular entrapment of the broken epicondyle. In these cases, both patient and family should be warned of the potential risk of loss of elbow range of motion and possibly poor functional outcome, especially if treatment is delayed.

Elbow Trauma in the Athlete

In caring for athletes, the physician must be able to accurately diagnose and appropriately treat all forms of elbow injuries. Traumatic injuries to the elbow are common in the athlete. The late cocking phase of throwing produces tremendous valgus stress on the elbow that can lead to medial epicondyle avulsion fractures in adolescents or rupture of the medial ulnar collateral ligament in skeletally mature overhead throwers, such as baseball pitchers and javelin throwers. Common traumatic elbow injuries suffered by athletes, surgical techniques for operative repair of these injuries, as well as postoperative rehabilitation protocols and the clinical results are presented.

Medial epicondyle fractures in children

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The present review discusses the relevant anatomy, clinical presentation, and management of medial epicondyle fractures, including diagnostic controversies, the indications for operative and nonoperative management, and outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies have highlighted the underestimation of fracture displacement seen on typical radiographic views and have attempted to define the location of the medial epicondyle on radiographs to improve the accuracy of measuring displacement. They have demonstrated variable outcomes following open reduction and internal fixation of medial epicondyle fractures that are associated with intra-articular incarceration. Newer evidence supports the fixation of medial epicondyle fractures in adolescent athletes, to allow return to competitive sports.

SUMMARY

Medial epicondyle fractures of the distal humerus account for 12% of pediatric elbow fractures and are frequently associated with intra-articular incarceration of the fracture fragment, elbow dislocation, ulnar nerve injury, and other upper extremity fractures. Recent literature calls into question the accuracy of measuring fracture displacement, and controversy exists regarding optimal management of these fractures. Good outcomes have been achieved with nonoperative treatment for minimally displaced fractures, despite a high rate of nonunion. In patients with displaced fractures, fixation yields stability, functional range of motion, and the ability to return to previous activity levels, including sports. Complications include stiffness, instability, deformity, superficial wound infections, and symptomatic nonunion. Further study is required to standardize the measurement of displacement and to clarify indications for operative treatment in both sedentary and active children.

Pediatric medial epicondyle fractures with intra-articular elbow incarceration

Background

Intra-articular incarceration of the epicondylar fragment occurs in 5–18 % of all cases of medial epicondyle fracture. It requires stable fixation to allow early motion, since elbow stiffness is the most common complication following medial epicondyle fracture. In this retrospective study, we report the clinical and functional outcomes and the complications that occurred following open reduction and screw fixation of medial epicondyle fractures with intra-articular fragment incarceration.

Methods

Thirteen children who had a fracture of the medial epicondyle with incarceration of the fragment in the elbow joint (type III) were surgically treated in our university hospital between 1998 and 2012. There were eight male and five female patients. The mean age at the time of injury was 13 years (range 9–16). Operative treatment consisted of open reduction and internal fixation with one or two 4.0-mm cannulated screws under fluoroscopic control.

Results

All of the patients were clinically reviewed at an average follow-up of 29 months. The overall range of motion limitation was about 5° for flexion–extension and 2° for pronation–supination. The score was excellent in all patients (mean 96.3). Complications occurred in four (31 %) children: two cases of symptomatic screw head prominence, irritation with partial lesion of the distal triceps myotendinous junction in one patient, and median nerve entrapment syndrome in one patient.

Conclusions

In conclusion, open reduction and screw fixation yielded excellent clinical and functional outcomes for the treatment of medial epicondyle fractures with intra-articular fragment incarceration. However, particular attention is should be paid when treating these potentially serious injuries in order to minimize the risk of possible complications.

Level of evidence

Therapeutic IV.

Treatment of medial epicondyle fracture without associated elbow dislocation in older children and adolescents

PURPOSE

Displaced medial humeral epicondyle fractures with or without elbow dislocation have been treated with open reduction and fixation using K-wires or screws. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of surgical treatments of medial humeral epicondyle fracture without elbow dislocation according to the fixation methods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-one patients who had undergone open reduction and fixation of the displaced medial humeral epicondyle fracture without elbow dislocation were included. Group I consisted of 21 patients who underwent fixation with K-wires, and Group II comprised 10 patients who underwent fixation with cannulated screws. Immediate postoperative, final follow- up and normal anteroposterior radiographs were compared and the clinical outcome was assessed using the final Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) elbow assessment score.

RESULTS

On the immediate postoperative radiographs, the distal humeral width in Group II was larger than that in Group I. On the final follow-up radiographs, the epicondylar position in Group I was lower than that in Group II. There was no significant difference in the distal humeral width, epicondylar position and joint space tilt between the immediate postoperative, final follow-up radiographs and the normal side within each group. There was no significant difference in the final JOA score between groups.

CONCLUSION

Open reduction followed by K-wire fixation or screw fixation of the displaced medial humeral epicondyle fracture without elbow dislocation in older children and adolescents resulted in improved radiologic outcome and good elbow function in spite of diverse radiologic deformities.

Acute traumatic posterior elbow dislocation in children

Traumatic posterior dislocation of the elbow is often associated with significant morbidity and incomplete recovery. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyse the outcome of 33 children (median age 10.8 years). Patients underwent reduction and assessment of stability under general anaesthesia. Pure dislocations (n=10) were immobilized, whereas unstable fractures (n=23) were stabilized. Refixation of ligaments was performed if stability was not achieved by fracture stabilization alone. Immobilization was continued for 26 (pure dislocations) or 35 days (associated injuries), respectively. Results were excellent (n=9) or good (n=1) after pure dislocation. Results were excellent (n=15), good (n=7) or poor (n=1) in children with associated injuries. Accurate diagnosis, concentric stable reduction of the elbow as well as stable osteosynthesis of displaced fractures are associated with good results in children with acute posterior elbow dislocations.

Medial epicondyle fractures in the pediatric population

Humeral medial epicondyle fractures in the pediatric population account for up to 20% of elbow fractures, 60% of which are associated with elbow dislocation. Isolated injuries can occur from either direct trauma or avulsion. Medial epicondyle fractures also occur in combination with elbow dislocations. Traditional management by cast immobilization increasingly is being replaced with early fixation and mobilization. Relative indications for surgical fixation include ulnar nerve entrapment, gross elbow instability, and fractures in athletic or other patients who require high-demand upper extremity function. Absolute indications for surgical intervention are an incarcerated fragment in the joint or open fractures. Radiographic assessment of these injuries and their true degree of displacement remain controversial.

NPY receptors as potential targets for anti-obesity drug development

The neuropeptide Y system has proven to be one of the most important regulators of feeding behaviour and energy homeostasis, thus presenting great potential as a therapeutic target for the treatment of disorders such as obesity and at the other extreme, anorexia. Due to the initial lack of pharmacological tools that are active in vivo, functions of the different Y receptors have been mainly studied in knockout and transgenic mouse models. However, over recent years various Y receptor selective peptidic and non-peptidic agonists and antagonists have been developed and tested. Their therapeutic potential in relation to treating obesity and other disorders of energy homeostasis is discussed in this review.

Operative versus non-operative management of pediatric medial epicondyle fractures: a systematic review

PURPOSE

There is ongoing debate about the management of medial epicondyle fractures in the pediatric population. This systematic review evaluated non-operative versus operative treatment of medial epicondyle fractures in pediatric and adolescent patients over the last six decades.

METHODS

A systematic review of the available literature was performed. Frequency-weighted mean union times were used to compare union rates for closed versus open treatments. Moreover, functional outcomes and range-of-motion variables were correlated with varying treatment modalities. Any complications, including ulnar nerve symptoms, pain, instability, infection, and residual deformity, were cataloged.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies, encompassing 498 patients, met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. There were 261 males and 132 female patients; the frequency-weighted average age was 11.93 years. The follow-up range was 6-216 months. Under the cumulative random effects model, the odds of union with operative fixation was 9.33 times the odds of union with non-operative treatment (P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference between operative and non-operative treatments in terms of pain at final follow-up (P = 0.73) or ulnar nerve symptoms (P = 0.412).

CONCLUSIONS

Operative treatment affords a significantly higher union rate over the non-operative management of medial epicondyle fractures. There was no difference in pain at final follow-up between operative and non-operative treatments. As surgical indications evolve, and the functional demands of pediatric patients increase, surgical fixation should be strongly considered to achieve stable fixation and bony union.

An unusual complication of ulnar nerve entrapment in a pediatric olecranon fracture: a case report

The rates of rare complications of acute or late ulnar nerve entrapment after supracondylar fractures, medial condyl fractures, elbow dislocations, forearm fractures, Galeazzi fracture dislocations, and epiphyseal separation of the distal ulna were reported earlier in the literature. Here, we report a late ulnar nerve entrapment after displaced olecranon fracture in a 10-year-old boy.

[Medial epicondyle fractures in children]

INTRODUCTION

Medial epicondylar fractures account for 11% of elbow injuries in children. It represents a Salter-Harris type I lesion. Diagnosis is difficult but on the whole, results are satisfactory. The treatment of this fracture is controversial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Our study looked at fifty-nine patients between 7 and 14 years old. The main mechanism of injury in our study was a fall (98%). The significance of the fracture displacement was judged according to the classification of Marion and Faysse. We noted 10 cases of stage II, 14 cases of stage III and 35 cases of stage IV according to their classification. Forty-one patients were treated by surgical fixation. Fifty patients were reviewed at an average of six years follow up and the results evaluated according to the criteria of Hardacre.

RESULTS

The result was good in 95% of those cases with conservative treatment and in 80% of those cases with operative treatment. Prominence of the medial epicondyle and limitation of elbow motion were the main complications.

DISCUSSION

According the literature, a sports accident is the most frequent cause of the injury. The results are better with conservative treatment because there is no relation between fracture displacement and final results. The excellent results of conservative treatment permit us to recommend this method except in those cases with a persistent intra-articular fragment or neurovascular complication.

Juvenile and adolescent elbow injuries in sports

Elbow injuries in skeletally immature athletes continue to increase as juvenile and adolescent athletes participate in organized athletics at earlier ages and with greater intensity. Specialization in specific sports at younger ages has led to an increase in injuries related to repetitive microtrauma. As a result, the spectrum of injuries commonly seen in skeletally immature athletes has increased at a time when long-term outcomes and less invasive interventions with biologic principles are gaining greater attention. Optimal treatment of these injuries requires a knowledge of the complex developmental and radiographic anatomy, the pathophysiology and natural history, and the indications and expected outcomes for conservative and operative management.

Elbow disorders in throwing athletes

Skeletally immature throwing athletes are injured when they throw too frequently or use throwing styles and pitches that overstress their elbows. Despite safety guidelines for throwing that recommend throwing more than 300, but less than 600, pitches per season, compliance is almost impossible to monitor, given multiple opportunities for throwing abuse away from organized, supervised league play. All throwers should avoid the side-arm throwing style. Pitchers should not play in multiple leagues, should not play hard-throwing positions when not pitching, and should not pitch when having elbow or shoulder pain. When the elbow becomes painful, pitching should cease and a thorough evaluation performed. Once the diagnosis is made, appropriate nonoperative treatment is undertaken. Operative intervention in this age group uncommonly is needed. Rehabilitation includes identifying and eliminating causative risk factors. Educating the athlete, coach, and parents results in a longer, pain-free throwing career and enhanced enjoyment of the sport.