# Lateral condylar mass fracture of the elbow

Lateral condylar mass fracture of the elbow

Lateral condylar mass fractures of  the elbow are easily missed and often considered benign as there is often only a small flake of bone visible. This thin sliver of metaphyseal bone on the lateral side of  the elbow is very deceptive. Do not underesti mate the significance of  this injury ( Figure 32.29 ). Richard von Volkmann , 1830–1889, Professor of  Surgery , Halle, Germany . ment. If  stable, non-operative treatment is acceptable. If  unsta - ble, anatomical reduction and fixation should be attempted to avoid complications. Unstable fractures are suggested by significant soft-tissue swelling, by fracture displacement of  more than 2 /uni00A0 mm or by the fractur e being visible on both anteroposterior and lateral - views of  the elbow . Unstable fractures r equire anatomical reduction and rigid fixation with K-wires or screw fixation to avoid displacement - and complications. Avascular necrosis of  the capitellum and non-union of  the lateral condyle lead to the so-called ‘fish tail’ deformity . 

(a)
Figure 32.29
Lateral condylar mass
fracture.
(a)
The metaphyseal fracture.
(b)
The yellow shows the shape of the
distal humerus, including the cartilagi
-
nous analogue, and the red shows the
true extent of the injury (i.e. a signi
/f_i
cant
intra-articular fracture).

Lateral condylar mass fracture of the elbow

Lateral condylar mass fractures of  the elbow are easily missed and often considered benign as there is often only a small flake of bone visible. This thin sliver of metaphyseal bone on the lateral side of  the elbow is very deceptive. Do not underesti mate the significance of  this injury ( Figure 32.29 ). Richard von Volkmann , 1830–1889, Professor of  Surgery , Halle, Germany . ment. If  stable, non-operative treatment is acceptable. If  unsta - ble, anatomical reduction and fixation should be attempted to avoid complications. Unstable fractures are suggested by significant soft-tissue swelling, by fracture displacement of  more than 2 /uni00A0 mm or by the fractur e being visible on both anteroposterior and lateral - views of  the elbow . Unstable fractures r equire anatomical reduction and rigid fixation with K-wires or screw fixation to avoid displacement - and complications. Avascular necrosis of  the capitellum and non-union of  the lateral condyle lead to the so-called ‘fish tail’ deformity . 

(a)
Figure 32.29
Lateral condylar mass
fracture.
(a)
The metaphyseal fracture.
(b)
The yellow shows the shape of the
distal humerus, including the cartilagi
-
nous analogue, and the red shows the
true extent of the injury (i.e. a signi
/f_i
cant
intra-articular fracture).

Lateral condylar mass fracture of the elbow

Lateral condylar mass fractures of  the elbow are easily missed and often considered benign as there is often only a small flake of bone visible. This thin sliver of metaphyseal bone on the lateral side of  the elbow is very deceptive. Do not underesti mate the significance of  this injury ( Figure 32.29 ). Richard von Volkmann , 1830–1889, Professor of  Surgery , Halle, Germany . ment. If  stable, non-operative treatment is acceptable. If  unsta - ble, anatomical reduction and fixation should be attempted to avoid complications. Unstable fractures are suggested by significant soft-tissue swelling, by fracture displacement of  more than 2 /uni00A0 mm or by the fractur e being visible on both anteroposterior and lateral - views of  the elbow . Unstable fractures r equire anatomical reduction and rigid fixation with K-wires or screw fixation to avoid displacement - and complications. Avascular necrosis of  the capitellum and non-union of  the lateral condyle lead to the so-called ‘fish tail’ deformity . 

(a)
Figure 32.29
Lateral condylar mass
fracture.
(a)
The metaphyseal fracture.
(b)
The yellow shows the shape of the
distal humerus, including the cartilagi
-
nous analogue, and the red shows the
true extent of the injury (i.e. a signi
/f_i
cant
intra-articular fracture).