Supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children.

We undertook a retrospective study of 39 children with displaced supracondylar fractures treated by delayed closed reduction with fluoroscopic guidance. After 3-5 days of side-arm traction, swelling had usually diminished sufficiently to allow the elbow to be safely hyperflexed to stabilize the fracture after elective closed reduction. This method yielded 92% good or excellent results. There were no vascular problems or Volkmann's contractures.