What nerve is injured in supracondylar fracture?
The most commonly injured nerve was the ulnar nerve (43.4%), followed by the median (36.7%) and radial nerves (19.9%).
What are the complications of supracondylar fracture of humerus?
Complications following these fractures are infection, loss of reduction, non-union, cubitus varus or valgus and neurovascular lesions [4]. The incidence of vascular complications associated with supracondylar fractures ranges from 3.2 to 14.3% [5], nerve injuries are reported with a relative incidence of 12–20% [6].
Which of the following nerves is most likely to be injured in a supracondylar humerus fracture?
The mostly commonly injured nerve is the median nerve (specifically, the anterior interosseous portion of the median nerve). Injuries to the ulnar and radial nerves are less common.
What is the commonest complication of supracondylar?
Pin-site irritation and superficial infections are the most common complications seen. Cubitus varus remains another common complication, even with the use of closed reduction and pinning for management of most displaced fractures. Neurapraxias are seen in almost 10% of patients, with most resolving spontaneously.
What is the supracondylar area of the humerus?
Bone – In children, the supracondylar region consists of a weak, thin bone located in the distal humerus. This area is bordered posteriorly by olecranon fossa, anteriorly by coronoid fossa and on both sides by respective supracondylar ridges.
What is the risk of supracondylar fracture?
Complication rates did not vary significantly by age, sex, height, BMI, or BMI-for-age. Taller children aged 5 to 6 years were at the greatest risk for Gartland type 3 distal humeral supracondylar fractures. Severe fractures are associated with an increased complication risk.
How do you treat a supracondylar fracture?
Treatment. A supracondylar fracture is typically treated by putting a splint or cast around your elbow and then using a sling to keep it in position. Other treatments include ice and medications to relieve pain and swelling. Surgical or nonsurgical.
What causes gunstock deformity?
Cubitus varus or bow elbow or gunstock deformity is the result of malunion occurring as a complication of supracondylar fracture of the humerus. It occurs in only the extension type of supracondylar fracture of the humerus, causing a reduction or loss of the carrying angle.
What does the median nerve affect?
The median nerve predominantly provides motor innervation to the flexor muscles of the forearm and hand as well as those muscles responsible for flexion, abduction, opposition, and extension of the thumb.
What causes median nerve injury?
This condition occurs when the nerve is inflamed, trapped, or injured by trauma. The most common reason is trapping (entrapment). Trapping puts pressure on the nerve where it passes through a narrow area. Wrist fractures may injure the median nerve directly.
What is the pathophysiology of median nerve injuries?
Median nerve injuries occur by multiple mechanisms and can become injured at different sites along its course in the upper limb. Common injuries to the median nerves include anterior shoulder dislocation, elbow dislocation, humerus fracture, midshaft radius fractures, stab wounds, prolonged placement of a tourniquet, and repeated use of crutches.
What is median nerve injury of the humerus?
Median nerve injury is associated with a fracture of the humerus, especially supracondylar fractures. Entrapment at the elbow between the two heads of pronator teres (pronator teres syndrome) and under the flexor retinaculum (carpal tunnel syndrome)
How is the median nerve involved in elbow fracture?
The median nerve can be involved during fractures-dislocations of the elbow, both directly by the fracture stumps that, in case of particularly violent traumas, can tear the median nerve, or indirectly through the stretching of the nerve or acute compression by perineural hematomas.
How are nerve root and distal median nerve injuries diagnosed?
If the history and physical exam are inconclusive to differentiate between a nerve root injury and a distal median nerve injury, electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction study are diagnostic options.