Ulnar nerve morbidity as a long-term complication of pediatric supracondylar humeral fracture

Abstract

Supracondylar humeral fractures are common in children. We studied long-term ulnar nerve symptoms secondary to these fractures and analyzed the treatment for ulnar neuropathy. The cohort included 91 patients with a supracondylar humeral fracture in childhood, on average 12 years previously, in the geographic catchment area. All the cases were reexamined in regard to ulnar nerve morbidity. Cases with secondary ulnar neuropathy were treated nonoperatively and operatively. Ulnar neuropathy was present in four cases (4.4 %). They all had suffered from a dislocated fracture, and they had been operated primarily. Another three patients had slight ulnar nerve symptoms. Hence, the total prevalence of secondary ulnar nerve morbidity was 7.7 %. A jumping nerve was seen in 9.9 %; 51.6 % had a diminished axial angle. We report a defined pattern of long-term ulnar nerve morbidity after pediatric supracondylar humeral fracture. The prevalence of neuropathy is alarming in the young population (<25 years of age).