SUPRACONDYLAR HUMERUS FRACTURES

Course overview

ELBOW FRACTURES ARE MORE COMMON IN THE PEDIATRIC POPULATION THAN IN THE ADULT POPULATION. CHILDREN OFTEN UTILIZE AN OUTSTRETCHED ARM AS A PROTECTIVE MECHANISM WHEN FALLING, CREATING A HIGH INCIDENCE OF FRACTURES ABOUT THE ELBOW. SUPRACONDYLAR FRACTURES OF THE HUMERUS ACCOUNT FOR UP TO 18% OF PEDIATRIC FRACTURES AND 60% OF ELBOW FRACTURES. DESPITE EVOLUTIONS IN THE EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OVER THE YEARS, THESE FRACTURES STILL POSE CONSIDERABLE CHALLENGES TO ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE MECHANISM OF INJURY, CLASSIFICATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF THESE INJURIES IN THE PEDIATRIC POPULATION AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN EVALUATING AND IMPROVING THE CARE OF PATIENTS WITH THIS CONDITION.