Elbow fracture (peds)

Diagnosis

Elbow Ossification by Age (CRITOE)

Ossification Center	Age of Appearance (add 1yr for boys)	Age at Fusion
Capitellum	1yr	12-14 yrs
Radial head	3yr	14-16 yrs
Internal epicondyle	5yr	16-18 yrs
Trochlea	7yr	12-14 yrs
Olecranon	9yr	15-17 yrs
External epicondyle	11yr	12-14 yrs

Differential Diagnosis

Elbow Diagnoses

Radiograph-Positive

• Distal humerus fracture
• Radial head fracture
  • Essex-Lopresti fracture
• Capitellum fracture
• Olecranon fracture
• Elbow dislocation

Radiograph-Negative

• Biceps tendon rupture/dislocation
• Lateral epicondylitis
• Medial epicondylitis
• Olecranon bursitis (nonseptic)
• Pronator teres syndrome
• Septic bursitis

Pediatric

• Nursemaid's elbow
• Supracondylar fracture
• Lateral epicondyle fracture
• Medial epicondyle fracture
• Olecranon fracture
• Radial head fracture
• Salter-Harris fractures

See Also

• Elbow diagnoses

Source

• Tintinalli
• UpToDate