Elbow fractures in children: An epidemiological analysis of 589 cases

TLDR

The study reviewed radiographs of 589 elbow fractures in children under 16 years. Among these fractures, supracondylar humerus fractures were most common (55 %), followed by radial neck (14 %) and lateral humeral condyle (12 %); the average annual incidence was 12 per 10,000 children with no change from 1950–1979, and supracondylar, lateral condylar, and olecranon fractures were more frequent in boys, while lateral condyle fractures were more often due to higher energy injuries.

Abstract

The radiographs of 589 elbow fractures in children under the age of 16 years were reviewed. The most common fractures were: supracondylar fracture of the humerus -55 per cent, fracture of the radial neck -14 per cent, and fracture of the lateral humeral condyle -12 per cent. One fifth of all fractures of the olecranon were associated with another elbow fracture; most often a fracture of the medial epicondyle. The average annual incidence of elbow fractures in the age group studied was 12 per 10.000 (10.0-14.7) without a significant change of the incidence between 1950 and 1979. Supracondylar and lateral condylar fracture of the humerus and fracture of the olecranon occurred more often in boys. Fractures of the lateral humeral condyle were more often caused by higher energy levels than the other fracture groups.