Neurological complications resulting from supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children.
One hundred thirty-eight children with supracondylar fractures of the humerus were reviewed. Seventeen (12%) exhibited neurological deficits. Nine median, four ulnar, and four radial neuropathies were encountered. The neurological deficit was treated expectantly. The osseous injury was treated by a variety of methods. All patients except two recovered spontaneously in an average of 9 weeks. One patient was still improving at 9 months' follow-up. Another patient with radial neuropathy underwent exploration 6 months after injury and was found to have a transected radial nerve. This study demonstrates that neurological deficits from supracondylar humeral fractures remain common, involve all three major nerves of forearm, and, with rare exception, recover with conservative therapy.
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005543:Forearm Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000293:injuries; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D011826:Radial Nerve / Q000293:injuries; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000293:injuries