title: Neglected fracture of the medial humeral epicondyle that was entrapped into the elbow joint: a case report.
abstract: The objective of this paper is to report clinical and radiographic long-term results of a neglected fracture of the medial humeral epicondyle, which was entrapped into the elbow joint. At follow-up, 48 years after the trauma, the patient complained of occasional discomfort around the elbow, but the joint had a normal range of motion and good stability. Radiographs showed that the epicondylar fragment was fused to the medial border of the olecranon. The authors conclude that an old fracture of the medial humeral epicondyle, presenting a fusion of the fragment to the olecranon with normal range of motion and without pain, may be managed expectantly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, viale Oxford, Rome, Italy. vitopotenza2@virgilio.it
authors.forename: Vito
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Potenza
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Farsetti
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caterini
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bisicchia
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Luna
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ippolito
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D002648:Child; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D007103:Immobilization / Q000379:methods; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D058069:Neglected Diseases; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016312:Treatment Refusal; D000092464:Elbow Injuries