Humeral Condyle Fractures Research Articles

Fracture-separation of the Distal Humeral Epiphysis in Children

We retrospectively reviewed twelve cases of the fracture-separation of the distal humeral epiphysis, which were treated during the period from 1989 to 1996. The incidence of this injury was about 3 % from 266 pediatric elbow fractures. Four cases were remained misdiagnosed as the lateral or medial humeral condylar fracture until the authors reviewed their radiographs. Though eleven fractures were extension type injury with typical posteromedial displacement, we identified a rare flexion type injury with anterolateral displacement. This case was a 12+7 year old boy, who was the oldest in our series. Cubitus varus deformity of more than 10 o developed in five patients, and cubitus rectus in two patients. One patient underwent osteotomy for the correction of cubitus varus deformity. We feel this injury is not uncommon as previously noted in the literature. The major problem of this fracture was the possibility of misdiagnosis. Whichever treament modality one may choose, careful evaluation of the carrying angle after reduction is mandatory to avoid residual cubitus varus deformity.

Arthroscopy of the Elbow in Dogs

SummaryThe craniolateral portal of the elbow is described. The technique was applied and evaluated in 34 dogs (38 elbows). A detailed description and classification of the fragmented coronoid process (FCP) is given. All patients with FCP were treated successfully using a second craniomedial portal. Complications were not observed. The technique appears to be safe and reliable and could also be used for other procedures such as removal of loose bodies, treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the medial condyle, reduction of selective humeral condylar fractures, excision of osteophytes and other diagnostic purposes. It also eliminates the need for exploratory arthrotomies of the elbow joint in dogs.The cranial portals of the 38 elbows in 34 dogs allowed proper evaluation and treatment of the lesions of the medial coronoid process. A classification in 7 types of lesions of the medial coronoid process was established. All dogs were treated successfully by either removal of the FCP or by a proximal ulnar sliding osteotomy.

Treatment and Complications of Lateral Humeral Condylar Fractures in Children

Treatment and Complications of Lateral Humeral Condylar Fractures in Children

Body Weight as a Predisposing Factor for Humeral Condylar Fractures, Cranial Cruciate Rupture and Intervertebral Disc Disease in Cocker Spaniels

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to determine whether or not body weight is a risk factor for humeral condylar fractures (HCF), cranial cruciate rupture (CCR) or intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) in the American Cocker Spaniel dog. Body weight, age, sex and recorded diagnoses of 854 Cocker Spaniels admitted to the teaching hospital, over a four-year period, were recorded from medical records. Dogs with a diagnosis of HCF (n = 21) weighed significantly more than the general population of Cocker Spaniels seen at the hospital over the same time period. Dogs with CCR (n = 20) were likely to weigh more than the general population. Whereas, dogs with IVDD (n = 47) weighed less than the general population of Cocker Spaniels. From these results, we concluded that body weight is a predisposing factor for HCF in Cocker Spaniels; that there is a tendency for Cocker Spaniels with CCR to be heavier than the general population and that being overweight does not predispose them to IVDD.Body weight, age, sex, and diagnoses of 854 Cocker Spaniels admitted over four years were recorded. Dogs with humeral condylar fractures weighed significantly more than the general population of Cocker Spaniels admitted over the same time period. Dogs with cruciate rupture weighed more, on average, than the general population of Cocker Spaniels, but surprisingly, dogs with intervertebral disc disease weighed less.

Treatment of Lateral Humeral Condylar Fractures in Children using Closed K-wire Fixation and Intraoperative Arthrogram

Treatment of Lateral Humeral Condylar Fractures in Children using Closed K-wire Fixation and Intraoperative Arthrogram

Incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle in spaniels.

An evaluation of 157 dogs with humeral fractures was performed. Cocker spaniels were more likely to have humeral condylar fractures (HCFs) than other breeds (P < .001). Male cocker spaniels were at increased risk (P < .001). Cocker spaniels had more bilateral HCFs than other breeds of dogs (P < .001). Eighteen dogs (17 purebred spaniels and 1 crossbred spaniel) with HCFs of unknown cause or occurring with normal activity were further studied, using radiography of their humeral condyle bilaterally (n = 18), computed tomography (n = 3), biopsy (n = 2), bone scintigraphy (n = 2), and genetic evaluation (n = 8). Fourteen of these 18 dogs had a nonfractured contralateral condyle. Twelve (86%) of the 14 nonfractured humeral condyles had a radiolucent line within the center of the condyle, 13 (93%) had radiographic signs of degenerative joint disease and an abnormal medial coronoid process, and six (43%) had periosteal proliferation involving the lateral epicondyle. Examination of biopsy samples from the fracture sites of two cocker spaniels showed fibrous tissue present at the fracture surfaces. The results of this study suggest an association between incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle in cocker spaniels and Brittany spaniels and a high prevalence of HCFs. Eight affected cocker spaniels with available pedigree information were found to be genetically related, suggesting that incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle may be a genetic disease with a recessive mode of inheritance.

Risk factors for humeral condylar fractures in the dog: A retrospective study

ABSTRACTHumeral condylar fractures have fracture lines that extend through the joint surface and through one or both epicondyles. One hundred and eighty‐nine dogs with humeral condylar fractures are presented in this study. Lateral condylar fractures were the most frequent (67 per cent), occurring nearly 10 times as often as the medial condylar fracture. Intercondylar fractures represented about 35 per cent of these. Condylar fractures occur as a result of moderate trauma and only rarely due to traffic accidents. The histories and circumstances of the three fracture types are not essentially different. Dogs, three and four months old, were strongly over‐represented among the lateral and medial condylar fractures, compared with the age distribution of other types of fractures in the extremities of the dogs. Humeral condylar fractures were recorded in 58 breeds. All dogs are vulnerable to humeral condylar fractures. All sizes and both sexes are equally at risk. Some breeds seem to be more vulnerable to lateral condylar fractures: English and French bulldogs, Yorkshire terriers, miniature schnauzers, Gordon setters and German short‐haired pointers. The St Bernard seems to be more vulnerable to medial and intercondylar fractures and the German shepherd dog and beagle to intercondylar fractures. A retrospective case control study does not provide wholly reliable statistical information on risk factors, and the statistics concerning breed and breed size must be judged accordingly. The method was considered to be the best statistical model available for this study.

Fractures of the medial condyle of the humerus in childhood.

Fifteen cases of medial humeral condylar fracture are presented. Average patient age was 9.5 years, and the follow-up period ranged from 1 to 3 years. This type of fracture is very rare, and it seldom appears in the international literature. Treatment in our cases was based on the displaced or undisplaced nature of the fragment, i.e., the displaced fractures were operated on and fixed with Kirschner wires, whereas the undisplaced ones were immobilized in plaster casts. The treatment of choice in our series gave quite satisfactory results.

Arthrographic diagnosis of elbow injuries in children.

A prospective study was established to evaluate the value of arthrography in children with a variety of elbow injuries. Thirty-six arthrograms were performed on children with an average age of 3.8 years at an average of 20 h from the time of injury. The diagnosis made on the basis of standard radiographs was confirmed for 17 patients, and the initial diagnosis was altered for seven (19%). More important was that the treatment of these seven patients was altered by the arthrographic findings. Six of these seven were candidates for surgical management until arthrographic evaluation indicated a different diagnosis or that they could be treated nonoperatively. Elbow arthrography is recommended in skeletally immature patients whose diagnosis is in doubt. This technique is particularly helpful in humeral condylar fractures.

Varus deformity following lateral humeral condylar fractures in children.

Lateral humeral condylar fractures are quite common in children. This article shows that varus deformity is a common sequela following such injuries. Twenty-four patients were studied, with a mean follow-up of 4.8 years. A loss of carrying angle, seen in 10 cases, occurred with comparable frequency in undisplaced (50%) and displaced (39%) fractures. The deformity was usually mild, averaging 10 degrees in the undisplaced fractures and 9.6 degrees in the displaced fractures treated with open reduction. We conclude that varus deformity is common in this injury, and occurs whether or not the fracture is displaced.

The repair of humeral condylar fractures in the dog: a review of seventy‐nine cases

ABSTRACTThe method of fixation of lateral condylar, medial condylar and intercondylar fractures of the humerus in 79 dogs is described. Follow‐up examinations were carried out to evaluate the success of fracture repair.

The incidence of humeral condylar fractures in the dog: a survey of seventy‐nine cases

ABSTRACTA review of 79 cases of canine humeral condylar fractures was made to establish the distribution of breed, age and cause of injury and to correlate these with the fracture type.

Kirschner Wire Fixation of Lateral Humeral Condylar Fractures in Small Dogs

Successful treatment of humeral condylar fractures requires accurate reduction and rigid internal fixation. Lag screw fixation is the traditional method of repair for these fractures. An alternative method using Kirschner wire fixation was used to repair humeral condylar fractures in eight small dogs. Long‐term follow‐up was available for seven dogs: all were reported to have normal limb function.