Elbow Case 3 Background

A supracondylar fracture of the humerus is defined as a fracture immediately proximal to the condyle of the distal humerus. There is often posterior or anterior displacement. It is most commonly a pediatric fracture, but occurs in adults too.

There is risk for damage to the anterior interosseous branch of the median nerve and, less commonly, the radial nerve. Vascular compromise occurs in 5-17% from brachial artery injury or compartment syndrome. Volkmann's ischemic contracture is a dreaded sequela of missed vascular injury.