title: The problem of post-traumatic varization of the distal end of the humerus remaining after the recovery of a supracondylar fracture.
abstract: We aimed to determine whether the distal end of the humerus had the capacity of spontaneous realignment of the remaining deformity following an inadequate reposition of the supracondylar fracture. The results in 56 children with a supracondylar humerus fracture were analysed. In 45 patients (80%), manual repositioning was performed along with transcutaneous fixation, whereas in 11 patients (20%), only manual repositioning and immobilization in plaster cast was applied. Immobilization was removed and physical therapy was started in all patients on the 21st day following the intervention. Anteroposterior and left-lateral radiography was performed and Baumann's angle was determined. Follow-up radiograph of the elbow of the traumatized and healthy extremity was performed at an interval of 5-15 years (median 9.4). There was no statistically significant difference between the relationship of Baumann's angle of the injured arm measured on the 21st day after the reduction of fragments on the one hand and the carrying angle of the injured and healthy arm measured at the long-term follow-up on the other (t=0.48, P=0.63). Similarly, there was no statistically significant difference between the relationship of Baumann's angle of the injured arm measured at the long-term follow-up and the findings of the carrying angle of both the injured and the healthy arm obtained on the same examination (t=0.78, P=0.44). On the basis of our experience, we conclude that there is no biological capacity to rectify a possible remaining postreduction varus deformity by spontaneous remodelling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Clinical Hospital Centre bFaculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia. nado.bukvic@optinet.hr
authors.forename: Nado
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bukvić
authors.forename: Ante
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kvesić
authors.forename: Zdrinko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Brekalo
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bosak
authors.forename: Frane
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bukvić
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Karlo
mesh_terms: D016723:Bone Remodeling; D002648:Child; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D016916:Joint Deformities, Acquired / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092464:Elbow Injuries