Review article: paediatric supracondylar humeral fractures: emergency assessment and management.
Supracondylar humeral fractures in children are common presentations to the ED but might be challenging to both diagnose and assess clinically. The ED has a critical role in accurately assessing the child, the limb's neurovascular status and initiating treatment. A specific approach to the clinical assessment of such a child is required as failure to detect neurovascular compromise can delay appropriate treatment and result in serious consequences. Most children can be investigated with X-ray radiograph alone with further treatment directed by severity of the fracture, commonly described using the Gartland classification. Our review article provides an overview of supracondylar humeral fractures and a suggested clinical approach to leave the emergency physician better equipped to assess and manage these fractures.
Allen
Stephen R
SR
Orthopaedic Unit, The Northern Hospital, Epping, Victoria, Australia.
Hang
Jacqueline R
JR
Hau
Raphael C
RC
D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010173:Palpation; D010372:Pediatrics; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography