title: Fractured lateral epicondyle with associated elbow dislocation.
abstract: We describe a case series involving a very unusual injury in children, i.e. a Milch 1 fracture of the lateral condyle with an associated dislocation of the elbow. This fracture configuration is normally stable as the intact capitellotrochlear groove serves as a lateral buttress for the coronoid-olecranon ridge of the ulna. In this series, however, each patient had an associated dislocation. These injuries usually present as a clinical dislocation and if the elbow is manipulated before radiographic imaging, the fracture line can be difficult to see on the post-reduction films. We recommend that all patients with a dislocated elbow should have elbow stability assessed under general anaesthesia, because a missed lateral condylar injury can lead to abnormalities in carrying angle, epiphyseolysis or an unstable elbow.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics, Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, UK.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Murnaghan
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Ap
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cosgrove
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ballard
mesh_terms: D001864:Bone Wires; D002648:Child; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D000092464:Elbow Injuries