Successful Management of a Pediatric Patient with Humeral Lateral Condyle Non-union, Elbow Valgus Deformity and Ulnar Neuropathy

Background

Humeral lateral condyle fracture is the most common elbow fracture in children after supracondylar fractures. Non-union of these fractures may cause ulnar nerve deficit, deformity and loss of joint motion, which are difficult to manage. Treatment of lateral condyle non-union can be done in two stages or one stage. However, despite all types of treatment, the chance of success is very variable. Many complications such as avascular necrosis, loss of motion, non-union, chronic pain, and heterotopic ossification have been reported as a result of surgeries performed for lateral condyle pseudoarthrosis.

Objective

In this article, we applied two-stage surgical treatment to a pediatric patient who developed ulnar neuropathy and elbow valgus deformity as a result of lateral condyle non-union.

Case report

A 8-year-old boy with lateral condyle nonunion presented to our clinic with pain and deformity. After initial examination, two-stage surgical treatment was planned to achieve union and deformity correction. In the first stage, we performed pseudoarthrosis surgery and ulnar nerve anterior transposition, and in the second stage, we performed elbow valgus deformity correction surgery. In three year follow-up, the range of elbow was 130/5/0 flexion/extension, with full supnation and pronation. Carrying angle was same with the opposite side.

Conclusion

Pediatric humeral lateral condyle nonunions cause deformity, pain, loss of motion, instability and neuropathy. Surgical treatment of nonunions with a careful planning provide excellent clinical and functional results.