A long-term follow-up study of children with supracondylar fractures of the humerus.

A retrospective study to assess the long-term results of the treatment of supracondylar fractures of the humerus was undertaken to provide guidance on the management of these troublesome injuries. In our experience as long as there was less than 25% displacement on an anteroposterior (A/P) or lateral x-ray, and less than 10 degrees angulation on an A/P or lateral x-ray, it is not essential to achieve an anatomical reduction, and good elbow function could be expected. Although children do not appear to correct for valgus or varus deformity there was no functional deficit from this deformity in this series. It was found that major displacements were more likely to have a worse result than undisplaced or minimally displaced fractures. These results would support a conservative approach to the management of these fractures--closed reduction followed by three weeks in a collar and cuff. If the position proved unstable, closed reduction was re-attempted or internal fixation performed. Conservative treatment was safe and effective, and the results comparable with other series that advocate internal fixation.