Diferencia entre revisiones de «Condylar fracture»

(Expand: types, fat pad sign, pediatric lateral condyle pearl, management)
 
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==Background==
==Background==
*Fracture of the distal humeral condyle at the elbow
*More common in children (lateral condyle fracture is the second most common pediatric elbow fracture after [[supracondylar fracture]])
*In adults, usually from direct trauma or fall on outstretched hand
*Types: lateral condyle, medial condyle, transcondylar, intercondylar (bicondylar)
{{Proximal arm fracture DDX}}
{{Proximal arm fracture DDX}}


==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
 
*Elbow pain, swelling, ecchymosis
*Inability or refusal to extend/flex elbow
*Point tenderness over the affected condyle
*Lateral condyle: tenderness over lateral elbow; may mimic lateral epicondylitis
*'''Pediatric pearl:''' Lateral condyle fractures are frequently missed — can be subtle on plain films


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
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==Evaluation==
==Evaluation==
 
*AP and lateral elbow x-rays — may require comparison views in pediatrics
*'''Fat pad sign:''' Posterior fat pad (''sail sign'') indicates intra-articular fracture
*CT if plain films equivocal and high clinical suspicion (especially intercondylar fractures in adults)
*Assess neurovascular status: radial nerve (lateral condyle), ulnar nerve (medial condyle)


==Management==
==Management==
{{General Fracture Management}}
{{General Fracture Management}}
*'''Non-displaced (<2mm):''' Long arm splint at 90° flexion, orthopedic follow-up within 1 week with repeat imaging
*'''Displaced (>2mm) or intra-articular:''' Orthopedic consult for operative fixation (ORIF)
*'''Pediatric lateral condyle:''' Low threshold for orthopedic referral — displacement may progress; risk of nonunion, malunion, and cubitus valgus


==Disposition==
==Disposition==
 
*Non-displaced: splint and outpatient orthopedic follow-up (3-5 days for pediatric lateral condyle)
*Displaced or open: orthopedic consult from ED


==See Also==
==See Also==
*[[Humerus fracture]]
*[[Humerus fracture]]
 
*[[Supracondylar fracture]]
==External Links==
*[[Medial epicondyle fracture]]
 
*[[Distal humerus fracture]]


==References==
==References==

Revisión actual - 01:47 21 mar 2026

Background

  • Fracture of the distal humeral condyle at the elbow
  • More common in children (lateral condyle fracture is the second most common pediatric elbow fracture after supracondylar fracture)
  • In adults, usually from direct trauma or fall on outstretched hand
  • Types: lateral condyle, medial condyle, transcondylar, intercondylar (bicondylar)

Humerus Fracture Types

Humeral anatomy

Clinical Features

  • Elbow pain, swelling, ecchymosis
  • Inability or refusal to extend/flex elbow
  • Point tenderness over the affected condyle
  • Lateral condyle: tenderness over lateral elbow; may mimic lateral epicondylitis
  • Pediatric pearl: Lateral condyle fractures are frequently missed — can be subtle on plain films

Differential Diagnosis

Elbow Diagnoses

Radiograph-Positive

Radiograph-Negative

Pediatric

Evaluation

  • AP and lateral elbow x-rays — may require comparison views in pediatrics
  • Fat pad sign: Posterior fat pad (sail sign) indicates intra-articular fracture
  • CT if plain films equivocal and high clinical suspicion (especially intercondylar fractures in adults)
  • Assess neurovascular status: radial nerve (lateral condyle), ulnar nerve (medial condyle)

Management

General Fracture Management

  • Acute pain management
  • Open fractures require immediate IV antibiotics and urgent surgical washout
  • Neurovascular compromise from fracture requires emergent reduction and/or orthopedic intervention
  • Consider risk for compartment syndrome
  • Non-displaced (<2mm): Long arm splint at 90° flexion, orthopedic follow-up within 1 week with repeat imaging
  • Displaced (>2mm) or intra-articular: Orthopedic consult for operative fixation (ORIF)
  • Pediatric lateral condyle: Low threshold for orthopedic referral — displacement may progress; risk of nonunion, malunion, and cubitus valgus

Disposition

  • Non-displaced: splint and outpatient orthopedic follow-up (3-5 days for pediatric lateral condyle)
  • Displaced or open: orthopedic consult from ED

See Also

References