Fractures of the medial humeral condyle in adults.
OBJECTIVE
Fractures of the medial condyle of humerus are uncommon in adults. The aims of this study were (i) to highlight the rarity of this injury, (ii) to focus on the problems in management of cases which present late, and (iii) to compare the results of surgical excision of medial condyle with those of internal fixation.


METHODS
Seven adult medial humeral condyle fractures were seen over a 10-year period. Four cases were surgically fixed within three weeks of the injury; one case refused operation. Two cases which presented late, one with an isolated trochlear fracture, and another Milch type I fracture comminution and compounding, were treated by excision of the condyle and supervised post excision physiotherapy.


RESULTS
All six operated cases regained good function. The two patients with excised condyle had no significant instability and had good range of movements. The results were comparable to those managed by open reduction and internal fixation.


CONCLUSIONS
Medial condyle fractures presenting early (within 3 weeks), should be managed by accurate open reduction and rigid fixation: non operative management leads to relatively poor results. In late/neglected cases, or those with extensive comminution, open reduction and fixation may lead to stiff and painful elbow, whereas excision of the condylar fragment does not lead to instability.
Nagi
O N
ON
Department of Orthopaedics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Dhillon
M S
MS
Aggarwal
A
A
Gill
S S
SS
D000328:Adult; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000601:surgery; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D006811:Humerus / Q000601:surgery; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092464:Elbow Injuries