Elbow Fractures in Childrens

drmaizo (70)in #fundition • 5 years ago

A children fracture

If your child is an active athlete or just a toddler jumping on his bed, there's a good chance he'll fall, at home or on the playground, at some point.

These falls are usually harmless. But when a child falls with an outstretched arm, the speed of the fall combined with the pressure of hitting the floor may be enough to fracture, or break, a bone in the elbow. That way almost every fracture near the elbow joint occurs.

These fractures that occur in the elbow, or around the elbow, account for about 10% of all fractures in children.

Elbow fractures can result from a fall, a direct blow to the elbow, or torsion of the arm. In addition to the fracture, there may be sprains, strains, or dislocations. X-rays are used to confirm if there is a fracture and if the bones are out of place. Sometimes a CT scan may be needed to get more information.

Types

- Among the different types of elbow fractures can be cited:

Fractures of the head and neck of the radius

The pain is usually worse when the forearm is rotated (when the palm is turned up and down). Treatment for this fracture depends on the number and size of bone fragments. Complex fractures often require surgery to repair and stabilize the fragments, or to remove or replace the head of the radius if there are too many bone fragments.

olecranial fractures

These fractures are usually displaced and need surgery. Bone fragments are realigned and joined together with pins and wires or plates and screws.

Fractures of the distal humerus

These fractures commonly occur in children and the elderly. These fractures can be associated with nerve and artery damage and must be carefully evaluated by your doctor. These fractures usually require surgical repair with plates or screws, unless they are stable.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Signs of a possible fracture in the elbow and around the elbow may include pain, swelling, bruising, and stiffness. At the time the injury occurs, a snap or a small explosion may be heard or felt. A visible deformity could mean that the bones are out of place, or that the elbow joint is dislocated. There may be numbness or weakness in the arm, wrist, and hand.

TREATMENT

Fractures that are out of place or unstable are most likely to need surgery. A surgical procedure replaces and stabilizes the fragments, or removes bone fragments. Whenever a fracture is open (the skin above the fracture has opened), urgent surgery is needed to clean the wound and bone and minimize the risk of infection.

Non-surgical treatments, such as a sling, cast, or splint, are usually used when there is little risk of the bones moving out of place or when the position of the bones is acceptable. Age is also an important factor when treating elbow fractures. Plaster casts are used more often in children because their risk of elbow stiffness is low; however, in an adult, elbow stiffness is much more likely. Physician-directed rehabilitation is often used to maximize movement and reduce the likelihood of elbow stiffness. This may include exercises, scar massage, ultrasound, heat, ice, and splints that stretch the joint.

When surgeries are performed the results are also very favorable as this patient who yesterday was operated satisfactorily for a supracondilea fracture of humerus and with adequate functional results.

If you need recommendations or help in orthopedic surgery and traumatology do not hesitate to contact me.