Treatment and prevention of pediatric supracondylar fractures of the humerus complicated by internal derangement of the elbow

  From 1983 to 1994, we treated 380 cases of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures with the push-top method, and the rate of elbow function was 99.8% and elbow inversion was 5%.  Clinical data: 380 cases, including 266 males and 144 females; all were fresh fractures; 230 right elbows, 150 left elbows; 268 cases of extension, 112 cases of flexion, 238 cases of ulnar deviation, 142 cases of radial deviation; 326 cases of misalignment separation, 36 cases of misalignment 1/4, and 18 cases of good alignment without displacement. There were 274 cases of anatomical fracture, 106 cases of anterior and posterior displacement of 1/4, 101 cases of ulnar deviation and 279 cases of radial deviation.  Treatment For supracondylar fracture of humerus, we tried to reposition the fracture by manipulation at an early stage, in order to prevent inward angle ulnar deviation. The anterior-posterior displacement is corrected first, and generally without anesthesia, a small splint is applied for external fixation of the super elbow joint, and then a wire rest is used to control the rotation of the super wrist joint. In the case of straightened ulnar deviation fracture, one assistant holds the upper arm of the child and the other assistant holds the wrist and does antagonistic continuous traction, firstly, the forearm is rotated backwards, the operator squeezes the thumb of both hands on the radial side of the proximal end of the humerus, and at the same time, the four fingers of both hands encircle the ulnar side of the distal end of the humeral fracture and pull it toward the radial side to correct the lateral displacement; then the two thumbs turn behind the elbow and push the ulnar eminence forward. The four fingers of both hands overlap and pull back the anterior side of the proximal end of the fracture while making the distal end of the assistant, slowly flexing the elbow joint under traction can often be felt when the femoral scraping sound to achieve reset, small splint routine super elbow joint external fixation, and then add a wire brace super wrist rotation posterior position fixation. The upper arm of the neck band around the elbow is suspended in the axillary mid-thoracic position. The flexed elbow is fixed at 30°-40°, and the extended elbow is fixed at about 90°.  Explain to the child’s parents the key points of pushing the top method, one hand holding the ulnar side of the wrist gently push 10°-20° to the radial side, the other hand thumb top humeral epicondyle as the fulcrum to the radial side of the top to do confrontation, do 2-3 times a day, each time push 20-30 times, each time 2-3 minutes, 15 days as a course of treatment, line 2-3 courses of treatment. When sleeping in a flat position with the shoulder joint abducted and externally rotated, put a small pillow on the radial side of the proximal humerus at an elevation of about 30°, and use the gravity of the forearm to increase the gravity to the radial side to correct the ulnar tilt and inward angle to prevent internal carry-over. If the child’s parents cannot bear to do it after the reset due to extensive swelling and severe pain, they can wait until the swelling subsides. Then push the top method of treatment.  The results of the treatment were 66 cases in six months, 126 cases in one year, 188 cases in two years; 170 cases in 0°-10°, 191 cases in 10°-18° of elbow carrying angle; 15 cases in 0°-10°, 4 cases in 10°-18° of elbow inversion; 350 cases in 130°-135° of elbow flexion. Flexion 120°-130° 26 cases. Flexion 100°~120°4 cases. Extension 0°~6°26 cases, 6°~10°4 cases.  The supracondylar fracture of the humerus loses its posterior rotational effect, the backbone is interrupted continuously, and the strong anterior rotator muscle without antagonistic effect can rotate the proximal ulnar radial joint to the anterior rotational position, and elbow inversion can occur gradually. The relationship between the distal fracture muscles is the main factor in the prevention of inward angular deformity by controlling forearm movement with the elbow flexed and wrist supinated. In passive anterior rotation, the forearm extensors are contracted and tensed on the medial epicondyle, the anterior rotation muscles are relaxed, the posterior rotation muscles are strained, the medial fracture gap is reduced, and the medial periosteal hinge is tensed.  In the passive posterior position, the forearm flexors are contracted and tensed. The post-rotation muscles are relaxed, the anterior rotation muscles are tightened, the medial fracture gap is closed, and the lateral periosteal hinge is tense. To prevent inward angulation, the medial epicondyle needs to be relaxed as much as possible, so the ulnar deviation should be fixed anteriorly and the radial deviation should be fixed posteriorly.