From the Research
Management of Displaced Humeral Fractures in Infants
- The management of displaced humeral fractures in infants can vary depending on the location and severity of the fracture 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
- For minimally displaced fractures (≤2 mm) of the lateral humeral condyle, conservative management with immobilization may be sufficient, with a risk of subsequent displacement of 14.9% 2.
- For more displaced fractures, surgical treatment such as closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation or elastic stable intramedullary nailing may be necessary to achieve stable reduction and prevent complications 1, 3, 4, 5.
- The choice of treatment depends on the age and size of the child, as well as the severity and location of the fracture, with the goal of achieving a stable reduction and preventing complications such as malunion, nonunion, and loss of motion 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
Treatment Options
- Closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation is a common treatment option for displaced supracondylar humeral fractures in children, with excellent results in terms of reduction and functional outcome 4.
- Elastic stable intramedullary nailing is another option for treating displaced humeral fractures in children, with the advantage of being a minimally invasive procedure with low risk of complications 3, 5.
- A single retrograde intramedullary nail technique has been described as a modified treatment option for displaced proximal humeral fractures in children, with satisfactory reduction and excellent functional outcomes 5.
Complications and Outcomes
- Complications such as infection, malunion, and nonunion can occur after treatment of displaced humeral fractures in children, with a higher risk associated with certain treatment options such as pin fixation 1.
- The outcome of treatment can be assessed using functional scores such as the QuickDASH questionnaire, with excellent results reported in most cases 3, 4, 5.
- The choice of treatment should be individualized based on the specific characteristics of the fracture and the child, with the goal of achieving a stable reduction and preventing complications 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.