Displaced medial epicondyle fractures: retrospective study and review of the literature

Objective. To present the clinical and functional results of medial epicondylar fractures in 24 surgically-treated children with long-term follow-up. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 24 cases of displaced medial epicondylar fracture surgically treated between January 2013 and December 2016. Demographical characteristics of patients were recorded and analyzed along with radiographical images. Patients underwent clinical evaluation and were asked to answer to the Quick DASH test to assess long term functional outcome. Results. Mean follow-up was 4.8 years. Complete range of movement of the elbow was restored in all cases except for 4 cases of extension lag inferior to 30° and 2 cases of slightly reduced pronation. Valgus deformity of the elbow inferior to 15° was observed in 3 patients. Mean Quick DASH score was 15.1. Conclusions. Even if the treatment guidelines of displaced medial epicondyle fractures are still debated, our study demonstrates satisfying functional results in the long term after surgical treatment, without major complications. In addition, surgery allows anatomic reduction of the fracture, preventing fibrous nonunion.