Treatment of type I capitellar fractures in adolescents.
BACKGROUND
Because fractures of the capitellum are rare in childhood and the young adolescent period, their treatment is still debatable and there appears to be no established treatment protocol. In the present study, we evaluated the results obtained in adolescents with type 1 capitellar fractures who were treated with open reduction and internal fixation with a 3.5 mm lag screw, directed from posterior to anterior.


METHODS
Twelve type I capitellar fractures in adolescents were treated with open reduction and internal fixation with a single 3.5 mm cortical lag screw directed from the posterior to the anterior and the results were evaluated by an objective evaluation score (Broberg and Morrey's functional rating index). Mean age of the patients was 13.5.


RESULTS
At final examination (24 to 90 months follow-up), mean Broberg and Morrey's functional rating index was 96.7 points (91 to 100 points). All fractures had healed in anatomic position and no avascular necrosis or heterotrophic ossification was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Since it is essential to obtain the full range of motion at the elbow, accurate open reduction and stable internal fixation are best to manage displaced type I capitellar fracture in children and adolescents. Single cortical lag screw directed from posterior to the anterior without penetrating the joint surface is suitable for this purpose.
Kaya
Ahmet
A
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Izmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. drahmetkaya@yahoo.com
Altay
Taşkin
T
Karapinar
Levent
L
Oztürk
Hasan
H
Sürenkök
Fatih
F
D000293:Adolescent; D001863:Bone Screws; D002648:Child; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092464:Elbow Injuries