Radial Neck Fracture in Children

Song, Kwang Soon; Kang, Chul Hyung; Min, Byung Woo; Jho, Byung Jong

Abstract

This paper was prepared to determine the effects of degree of initial angulation and the method of treatment toward the end results, and also to report cases of twenty-one children with a radial neck lowed up more than 12 months. The results are as follows: 1. An average follow up period was 34 months, and were ranged from 12 months to 70 months. 2. Displacement patterns of fracture were angulation in 5 cases, partial translocation in 11cases, and total displacement in 5 cases, and translocated fracture was most frequent. According to the degree of angulation, in 10 cases angulation was minor(below 30 degrees), in 8 cases moderate(30-60 degrees), and in 3 cases severe (above 60 degrees). 3. One case was treated by simple cast immobilization, 9 cases were treated by gentle closed reduction, 3 cases were by percutaneus pin reduction with K-wire, 7 cases were by open reduction and K-wires fixation, and 1 case was by closed reduction and incorporating cast immobilization. 4. The results of 20 cases were excellent in range of motion without specific complication. Without considering about the method of treatment, when angulation was severe, more time was required for recovery(Wilcoxon 2-simple test P < 0.02). When the degree of angulation was less than 60 degree, the functional recovery was faster with closed reduction than with open reduction, but with the angulation more 60 degree, there was no significant difference(Spearman correlation coefficient=0.599, P value < 0.05). In conclusion, the severity of initial displacement and the method of treatment were considered to be factors that could affect the recovery time.