Introduction Overview radial neck fractures in children are a relatively common traumatic injury that usually affects the radial neck (metaphysis) in children 9-10 years of age. treatment depends on the degree of angulation and is surgical if angulation remains greater than 30 degrees after closed reduction is attempted. Epidemiology demographics median age is 9-10 years no difference in incidence between sexes 5-10% of all pediatric elbow fractures and 1% of pediatric fractures overall Pathophysiology mechanism usually associated with an extension and valgus loading injury of the elbow elbow dislocation Associated Conditions elbow dislocation olcecranon fracture medial epicondyle fracture forearm compartment syndrome Outcomes worse outcomes seen in patients >10 years of age Anatomy There are 6 ossification centers around the elbow joint age of ossification is variable but occurs in the following order (C-R-I-T-O-E) at an average age of (years) Capitellum (1 yr.) Radius (3 yr.) Internal or medial epicondyle (5 yr.) Trochlea (7 yr.) Olecranon (9 yr.) External or lateral epicondyle (11 yr.) Ossification center of radial head appears between and 3 and 5 years of age may be bipartite radial head fuses with radial shaft between ages of 16 and 18 years Classification O'Brien Classification Type I < 30 degrees Type II 30-60 degrees Type III > 60 degrees Judet Classification Type I Undisplaced Type II < 30 degrees Type III 30-60 degrees Type IVa 60-80 degrees Type IVb More than 80 degrees Chambers Classification (rarely used) Group 1: Primary displacement of radial head (most common) Valgus InjuryA: Physeal injury - Salter-Harris I or IIB: Intra-articular -Salter-Harris III or IVC: metaphyseal fracture Elbow DislocationD: reduction injuryE: dislocation injury Group 2: Primary displacement of radial neck Monteggia variant Group 3: Stress injury Osteochondritis dissecans Presentation Symptoms elbow pain refusal to move Physical exam inspection lateral swelling motion pain exacerbated by motion, especially supination and pronation. must have high suspicion for forearm compartment syndrome pain may be referred to the wrist Imaging Radiographs recommended views AP and lateral of the elbow radiocapitellar (Greenspan) view oblique lateral performed by placing the arm on the radiographic table with the elbow flexed 90 degrees and the thumb pointing upward The beam is directed 45 degrees proximally findings nondisplaced fractures may be difficult to visualize look for fat pads signs anterior fat pad may be normal, but a posterior fat pad sign should be treated as an occult fracture a portion of the radial neck is extra-articular and therefore an effusion and fat pads signs may be absent. Treatment Nonoperative immobilization alone indications <30 degrees of angulation <3mm translation technique immobilize in long arm cast or splint without reduction follow-up 7 days of immobilization followed by early range of motion closed reduction and immobilization indications >30 degrees of angulation closed reduction followed by immobilization in long arm cast or splint if an adequate reduction is achieved Operative closed percutaneous reduction indications > 30° of residual angulation following closed reduction 3-4 mm of translation < 45° of pronation and supination outcomes improved outcomes with younger patients, lesser degrees of angulation, and isolated radial neck fractures open reduction indications fracture that cannot be adequately reduced to <45 degrees angulation with closed or percutaneous methods outcomes open reduction has been associated with a greater loss of motion, increased rates of osteonecrosis and synostosis compared with closed reduction (though this is controversial as higher rates of open reduction are also seen with worse fractures) Techniques Closed reduction reduction techniques Patterson maneuver hold the elbow in extension and apply distal traction with the forearm supinated and pull the forearm into varus while applying direct pressure over the radial head Israeli (Kaufman) technique pronate the supinated forearm while the elbow is flexed to 90° and direct pressure stabilizes the radial head Nehar and Torch technique elbow held in extension and supination with distal traction and varus force with assistant pushing laterally on radial shaft and surgeon pushing medially on radial head elastic bandage technique tight application of an elastic bandage (esmarch) beginning at the wrist continuing over the forearm and elbow may lead to spontaneous reduction Closed Reduction and Percutaneous Pinning reduction technique K-wire joystick technique push technique blunt end of a large k-wire is pushed against the posterolateral aspect of the proximal fragment and pushed into place lever technique k-wire is placed into the fracture site and levered proximally if unstable after reduction a pin may be placed to maintain reduction Metaizeau technique involves retrograde insertion of a pin/nail across the fracture site fracture is reduced by rotating the pin/nail Open reduction approach performed with lateral approach (Kocher interval) to radiocapitellar joint pronate to avoid the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) fixation avoid transcapitellar pins internal fixation only used for fractures that are grossly unstable Complications Decreased range of motion loss of pronation more common than supination Radial head overgrowth 20-40% of fractures usually does not affect function Osteonecrosis 10-20% of fractures radial head in children is entirely cartilage and blood supply is primarily from the metaphysis up to 70% of cases occur with open reduction Nerve injury PIN may be injured Physeal arrest may lead to cubitus valgus deformity Synostosis most serious complication occurs in cases of open reduction with extensive dissection or delayed treatment
Surgical Treatment of Radial Neck Fractures Technique guide are not considered high yield topics for orthopaedic standardized exams including the ABOS, EBOT and RC. Authors: Lindsay Andras Nina Lightdale
QUESTIONS 1 of 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 Previous Next (OBQ10.106) A 12-year-old boy falls 8 feet from a tree limb and lands on his outstretched hand. He complains of elbow pain and a displaced radial neck fracture is noted on radiographs. Closed reduction is performed under sedation in the ER. A post-reduction radiograph is provided in Figure A. Which of the following actions should be taken? Review Topic QID: 3200 FIGURES: A 1 Immobilization in a sling until pain subsides 3% (79/3041) 2 Immobilization in a long arm cast for 6 weeks to allow for callus formation and subsequent bony remodeling 2% (57/3041) 3 CT scan to further evaluate the fracture and physis 2% (74/3041) 4 Open reduction and internal fixation 1% (28/3041) 5 Further reduction and percutaneous fixation in the operating room with elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) 92% (2793/3041) Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 5 (OBQ04.171) A 6-year-old boy has right elbow pain after falling onto an outstretched hand eight hours ago. Radiographs are shown in Figure A. Overnight, he develops increasing pain and swelling in his right forearm. What associated condition is most likely developing in this scenario? Review Topic QID: 1276 FIGURES: A 1 Extensor pollicis longus rupture 0% (3/1010) 2 Posterior interosseous nerve neurapraxia 10% (100/1010) 3 Forearm compartment syndrome 85% (854/1010) 4 Common extensor origin avulsion 3% (26/1010) 5 Medial collateral ligament rupture 2% (21/1010) Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 3 (OBQ13.266) A 9-year-old girl falls onto her left elbow while swinging from the monkey bars and sustains a radial neck fracture. Closed reduction with adequate sedation under mini-C arm guidance is performed in the emergency room. Radiographs following this attempt are shown in Figures A and B. Residual angulation is 62°. What is the next best step in treatment? Review Topic QID: 4901 FIGURES: A B 1 Early range of motion 4% (146/4038) 2 Percutaneous reduction with pin fixation as needed 89% (3611/4038) 3 Immobilize in 90º of elbow flexion and neutral forearm rotation 3% (114/4038) 4 Open reduction and plate fixation 3% (121/4038) 5 Open reduction and epiphysiodesis 1% (31/4038) Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 2 (OBQ11.198) A 10-year-old boy sustains an injury to his dominant elbow and presents with the injury shown in Figures A and B. What is the next best step in management? Review Topic QID: 3621 FIGURES: A B 1 Immobilization in full pronation 1% (13/1658) 2 Open reduction 2% (37/1658) 3 Closed reduction 58% (969/1658) 4 Closed reduction and percutaneous pinning 29% (480/1658) 5 Open reduction and internal fixation 9% (154/1658) Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 3 (OBQ08.154) A 10-year-old female falls from the swing and lands on her left arm. She complains of left elbow pain. On physical exam she has pain exacerbated by motion, especially supination and pronation. She is neurovascularly intact. A radiograph is provided in Figure A. Which of the following is the most appropriate first step in management? Review Topic QID: 540 FIGURES: A B 1 Short arm cast without reduction 0% (4/807) 2 Long arm cast without reduction 4% (34/807) 3 Attempt closed reduction 74% (597/807) 4 K-wire percutaneous reduction in the operating room 12% (96/807) 5 Open reduction with a lateral approach 8% (66/807) Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 3 Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK
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