From the Research
Treatment Options for Medial Epicondyle Fractures
The treatment for medial epicondyle fractures can vary depending on the severity of the fracture and the presence of associated injuries. The following are some of the treatment options:
- Nonoperative treatment with immobilization using a plaster cast or splint 1, 2, 3
- Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using Kirschner wires or screws 1, 4, 5, 3
- Surgical excision of the medial epicondylar fragment, although this is not recommended due to poor long-term results 1
Outcomes of Treatment Options
The outcomes of these treatment options have been studied in various research papers:
- Nonoperative treatment has been shown to yield good long-term results, with minimal clinical or functional disabilities at final follow-up 1, 2, 3
- ORIF has been shown to result in improved radiologic outcomes and good elbow function, despite diverse radiologic deformities 4, 5
- The presence of elbow dislocation may affect the outcome of treatment, with increased rates of nonunion, elbow stiffness, and elbow laxity 2, 5
Comparison of Treatment Options
Comparative studies have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of different treatment options:
- A study comparing nonoperative and operative treatment found that nonoperatively treated children had less pain and better cosmetic outcomes, but there was no significant difference in other outcome measures 3
- Another study found that ORIF with K-wires is a safe procedure that yields good or very good results, with similar outcomes observed between patients with and without dislocation 5