Lateral condyle fracture with concomitant postero-medial elbow dislocation in a child: a case report

Abstract

Simultaneous combination of fracture of the lateral condyle and postero-medial elbow dislocation is a rare event and limited to few reports or case series in the literature. Rarity of the injury also necessitates judicious diagnosis and appropriate management to ensure optimal functional outcome. Various authors have reported about the condition including the management which mostly includes surgical intervention. A report of one such injury pattern in an 8 years old male child with operative management and satisfactory outcome is presented to highlight the presence of this rare combination and adherence to standard treatment protocols to address them. The report is an addition to the limited resources available on similar fractures and highlights the importance of ruling out possible associated injuries in cases of elbow dislocations. A good fixation of lateral condyle fracture is instrumental to avoid late complications leading to poor functional outcome. The early and supervised rehabilitation also plays a role in ensuring successful return to activities of daily living.