[Therapy of fracture of epicondylus medialis humeri (author's transl)].

The fracture of the medial epicondylus humeri is an injury tipical for the age of growth. It is a preliminary stage of the luxation of the elbow, which again is associated with one third of the fractures of the medial epicondylus humeri. We report about 27 own patients with fractures of the medial epicondylus humeri. 15 cases were treated conservatively, 12 cases underwent operative treatment. Operating procedure: extirpation, reinsertion or fixation with tension band principle. In all but 3 cases the results were good. These 3 patients had concomitant injuries. Immobilisation lasted for 4.1 weeks on the avarage, full motility was attained after 2.2 months on an avarage. Based on the good results in the mentioned patients, we recommend indication for operative resp. conservative therapy as follows: 1. Conservative: If the joint is not injured and If dislocation is less than 3 mm. 2. Operative: if dislocation is 3 mm or more, or if the fracture includes the articular surface. An absolute indication for operation is given if there is an interposition of fragments into the joint or a lesion of the nervus unlnaris.