In this section
See also: Medial epicondyle fracture of the humerus - Emergency Department
Table 1: Recommended follow-up schedule for medial epicondyle fractures of the humerus.
Fracture type
First appointment
Subsequent review appointments
Discharge advice to parents
Closed treatment (non-operative)
At 3 weeks post-injury with x-ray and removal of backslab
Place in collar and cuff for 3 weeks and commence range of motion exercises
At 9 weeks post-injury with x-ray
Activity modification avoiding heavy arm use for one month after cast removal
Physiotherapy is not recommended
Operative treatment
At 3 weeks post-operative with x-ray and removal of backslab
Place in collar and cuff for 3 weeks and commence range of motion exercises.
If concerned about wound, consider review at 1 week post-operative
At 9 weeks post-operative with x-ray
Consider listing for screw removal
As above
Medial condyle fracture
At 1 week post-operative
At 3 weeks post-operative with x-ray
Consider whether longer term follow up is required. Watch for growth disturbance and avascular necrosis (AVN)
Degree of displacement and acceptability of reduction. If displacement is >15 mm and has not had surgical reduction, consider whether operative intervention is required.
Increasing separation and elbow instability.
Beaty JH, Kasser JR. The elbow: Physeal fractures, apophyseal injuries of the distal humerus, avascular necrosis of the trochlea, and T-condylar fractures. In Rockwood and Wilkins' Fractures in Children, 7th Ed. Beaty JH, Kasser JR (Eds). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia 2010. p.533-93.
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