Low incidence of flexion-type supracondylar humerus fractures but high rate of complications: A population-based study during 2000–2009
Background and purpose — Supracondylar humerus fractures are the most common type of elbow fracture in children. A small proportion of them are flexion-type fractures. We analyzed their current incidence, injury history, clinical and radiographic findings, treatment, and outcomes. Patients and metho...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Medical Journals Sweden
2016-07-01
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| Series: | Acta Orthopaedica |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17453674.2016.1176825 |
| _version_ | 1798018024307949568 |
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| author | Eira Kuoppala Roope Parviainen Tytti Pokka Minna Sirviö Willy Serlo Juha-Jaakko Sinikumpu |
| author_facet | Eira Kuoppala Roope Parviainen Tytti Pokka Minna Sirviö Willy Serlo Juha-Jaakko Sinikumpu |
| author_sort | Eira Kuoppala |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background and purpose — Supracondylar humerus fractures are the most common type of elbow fracture in children. A small proportion of them are flexion-type fractures. We analyzed their current incidence, injury history, clinical and radiographic findings, treatment, and outcomes. Patients and methods — We performed a population-based study, including all children <16 years of age. Radiographs were re-analyzed to include only flexion-type supracondylar fractures. Medical records were reviewed and outcomes were evaluated at a mean of 9 years after the injury. In addition, we performed a systematic literature review of all papers published on the topic since 1990 and compared the results with the findings of the current study. Results — During the study period, the rate of flexion-type fractures was 1.2% (7 out of 606 supracondylar humeral fractures). The mean annual incidence was 0.8 per 105. 4 fractures were multidirectionally unstable, according to the Gartland-Wilkins classification. All but 1 were operatively treated. Reduced range of motion, changed carrying angle, and ulnar nerve irritation were the most frequent short-term complications. Finally, in the long-term follow-up, mean carrying angle was 50% more in injured elbows (21°) than in uninjured elbows (14°). 4 patients of the 7 achieved a satisfactory long-term outcome according to Flynn’s criteria. Interpretation — Supracondylar humeral flexion-type fractures are rare. They are usually severe injuries, often resulting in short-term and long-term complications regardless of the original surgical fixation used. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T16:16:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fb861d36cba74ff88490f64b86b5edd4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1745-3674 1745-3682 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T16:16:05Z |
| publishDate | 2016-07-01 |
| publisher | Medical Journals Sweden |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Acta Orthopaedica |
| spelling | doaj.art-fb861d36cba74ff88490f64b86b5edd42022-12-22T04:14:32ZengMedical Journals SwedenActa Orthopaedica1745-36741745-36822016-07-0187440641110.1080/17453674.2016.11768251176825Low incidence of flexion-type supracondylar humerus fractures but high rate of complications: A population-based study during 2000–2009Eira Kuoppala0Roope Parviainen1Tytti Pokka2Minna Sirviö3Willy Serlo4Juha-Jaakko Sinikumpu5Oulu University Hospital, Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University, PEDEGO Research GroupOulu University Hospital, Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University, PEDEGO Research GroupOulu University Hospital, Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University, PEDEGO Research GroupOulu University Hospital, Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University, PEDEGO Research GroupOulu University Hospital, Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University, PEDEGO Research GroupOulu University Hospital, Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University, PEDEGO Research GroupBackground and purpose — Supracondylar humerus fractures are the most common type of elbow fracture in children. A small proportion of them are flexion-type fractures. We analyzed their current incidence, injury history, clinical and radiographic findings, treatment, and outcomes. Patients and methods — We performed a population-based study, including all children <16 years of age. Radiographs were re-analyzed to include only flexion-type supracondylar fractures. Medical records were reviewed and outcomes were evaluated at a mean of 9 years after the injury. In addition, we performed a systematic literature review of all papers published on the topic since 1990 and compared the results with the findings of the current study. Results — During the study period, the rate of flexion-type fractures was 1.2% (7 out of 606 supracondylar humeral fractures). The mean annual incidence was 0.8 per 105. 4 fractures were multidirectionally unstable, according to the Gartland-Wilkins classification. All but 1 were operatively treated. Reduced range of motion, changed carrying angle, and ulnar nerve irritation were the most frequent short-term complications. Finally, in the long-term follow-up, mean carrying angle was 50% more in injured elbows (21°) than in uninjured elbows (14°). 4 patients of the 7 achieved a satisfactory long-term outcome according to Flynn’s criteria. Interpretation — Supracondylar humeral flexion-type fractures are rare. They are usually severe injuries, often resulting in short-term and long-term complications regardless of the original surgical fixation used.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17453674.2016.1176825 |
| spellingShingle | Eira Kuoppala Roope Parviainen Tytti Pokka Minna Sirviö Willy Serlo Juha-Jaakko Sinikumpu Low incidence of flexion-type supracondylar humerus fractures but high rate of complications: A population-based study during 2000–2009 Acta Orthopaedica |
| title | Low incidence of flexion-type supracondylar humerus fractures but high rate of complications: A population-based study during 2000–2009 |
| title_full | Low incidence of flexion-type supracondylar humerus fractures but high rate of complications: A population-based study during 2000–2009 |
| title_fullStr | Low incidence of flexion-type supracondylar humerus fractures but high rate of complications: A population-based study during 2000–2009 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Low incidence of flexion-type supracondylar humerus fractures but high rate of complications: A population-based study during 2000–2009 |
| title_short | Low incidence of flexion-type supracondylar humerus fractures but high rate of complications: A population-based study during 2000–2009 |
| title_sort | low incidence of flexion type supracondylar humerus fractures but high rate of complications a population based study during 2000 2009 |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17453674.2016.1176825 |
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