Posteromedial dislocation of the elbow in a child with lateral condyle fracture: Case report with review of literature

Abstract

Dislocation of the elbow is a rare injury in children with a reported incidence of 3-6 percent of all elbow injuries1,2,3. Posteromedial dislocation is reported to be even rarer with only three reports so far. The dislocations are associated with various associated
fractures, the medial epicondyle fracture being the commonest. There are reports of lateral condyle fracture associated with posteromedial dislocation1,2,3. Our case was associated with fracture of both bones of the distal forearm and radial nerve palsy which has not been reported previously. The child with posteromedial dislocation with lateral condyle fracture was treated with open reduction of the lateral condyle. The patient had excellent recovery of elbow function. A case of posteromedial dislocation of the elbow with associated lateral condyle fracture and both bones distal forearm fracture are reported due to its rarity.

Keywords: Dislocation of elbow, Lateral condyle fracture,
forearm fracture

Nigerian Journal of Orthopaedics and Trauma Vol. 7 (1) 2008 pp. 29-30