Closed reduction of the pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures: the "joystick" method.
BACKGROUND
Our goal in this study was to propose an alternative closed reduction method to avoid open reduction in the management of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures. A temporary Kirschner wire is inserted to the proximal part of the humerus to be used as a joystick to have a better control of the proximal fragment.


METHODS
Twenty-three patients with closed Gartland type III extension fractures were operated between 2003 and 2007. Mean age of the patients was 6.7 (4-10) years.


METHODS
Uninjured and fractured elbow's Bauman angles, lateral condylar angles, the carrying angles and ROM values were compared statistically according to independent samples t test.


RESULTS
At a mean follow-up 96.73 weeks (53-150), clinical results using the Flynn criteria were excellent in 21 (91.3%), good in 1(4.35%), fair in 1 (4.35%) patient.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the "joystick" reduction method is a reliable alternative when closed reduction itself is not successful.
Parmaksizoglu
Atilla Sancar
AS
Orthopedics and Traumatology Department, Taksim Training and Research Hospital, Siraselviler Street, No 112, Taksim, Istanbul, Turkey.
Ozkaya
Ufuk
U
Bilgili
Fuat
F
Sayin
Emrah
E
Kabukcuoglu
Yavuz
Y
D001864:Bone Wires; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012784:Shoulder Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome