Displaced medial epicondyle fractures: retrospective study and review of the literature

Objective: to present clinical and functional results of medial epicondylar fractures in 24 children surgically treated with a long-term follow-up. Methods: we retrospectively reviewed 24 cases of displaced medial epicondylar fracture surgically treated between January 2013 and December 2016. Demographical characteristics of patients were recorded and analyzed along with radiographical images. Patients underwent clinical evaluation and were asked to answer to the Quick DASH test to assess long term functional outcome. Results: Mean follow-up was 4.8 years. Complete range of movement of the elbow was restored in all cases expect for 4 cases of extension lag inferior to 30° and 2 cases of slightly reduced pronation. Valgus deformity of the elbow inferior to 15° was observed in 3 patients. Mean Quick DASH score was 15.1. Conclusions: even if the treatment guidelines of displaced medial epicondyle fractures are still debated, our study demonstrate satisfying functional results in the long term after surgical treatment, without major complications. In particular, surgery allows an anatomic reduction of the fracture, preventing fibrous nonunion.