Orthopaedic Surgery

Answer 5 Cubitus varus. Radial nerve palsy, elbow stiffness, posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the elbow, and chronic pain are rare complications of supracondylar humerus fractures. Cubitus varus (gunstock deformity) is the most common form of malunion after a displaced supracondylar humerus fracture.4 The deformity is indicative of a rotational malposition of the fracture and is primarily cosmetic in nature with minimal associated functional deficits.4 Unlike many other pediatric fractures, the distal humerus harbors very little remodeling potential. Therefore, accurate reduction at the time of fixation is crucial to preventing malunion. REFERENCE 4. Shrader MW. Pediatric supracondylar fractures and pediatric physeal elbow fractures. Orthop Clin North Am 2008;39:163–71, v. Click here to return to the questions

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