Childhood Fractures Requiring Open Reduction and Fixation

Abstract

If a fracture of the head of the radius is displaced or angulated more than 35 to 40 degrees, closed reduction is indicated. If that fails, the surgeon should reduce it openly and fixate the bone with a Kirschner wire. Fractures of the lateral condyle of the humerus are treated similarly, but medial epicondyle fracture can be reduced directly. Epiphyseal fractures pose special problems which are discussed here.