Module 22, General Orthopaedist Level
A five year and six month old white male sustained a fall onto his
outstretched right arm with immediate complaints of pain and swelling in
his right elbow. The child was unable to move his arm secondary to pain.
He was on the play ground and the fall was not witnessed. Physical examination
revealed swelling, tenderness and crepitus over the lateral aspect of the
elbow. The skin was intact and neurovascular examination of the right upper
extremity was without deficits.
Question 22A
This
is a supracondylar elbow fracture.
Question 22B
An
attempt should be made to do a closed reduction in the emergency using
sedation.
Question 22C
You
tell the parents that this is a minimal fracture which should heal with
no problems.
Question 22D
If
a closed reduction is not possible, an open reduction with internal fixation
is indicated.
Question 22E
These
fractures almost always heal very fast in 3 to 4 weeks.
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