Pediatric Elbow Trauma
A 9-year-old boy falls directly onto his flexed elbow while skateboarding. He presents with elbow pain, swelling, and an inability to extend the elbow. Examination reveals tenderness over the posterior distal humerus with an anterior prominence. The ulnar nerve function is diminished with weakness of finger abduction and numbness in the small finger. Radiographs show a supracondylar humerus fracture with anterior displacement of the distal fragment. Regarding flexion-type supracondylar humerus fractures:
Mark each as TRUE or FALSE
Flexion-type supracondylar fractures account for only 2-5% of all supracondylar fractures in childre...
The ulnar nerve is the most commonly injured nerve in flexion-type fractures (unlike extension-type ...
Flexion-type fractures are more common than extension-type; the distal fragment displaces posteriorl...
Closed reduction is performed with the elbow extended (not flexed as in extension-type); traction is...
Open reduction through a posterior approach may be required for irreducible fractures; care must be ...
Answer the questions to see explanations
Click T (True) or F (False) for each option