Abstract
The treatment of supracondylar humeral fractures in children continues to evolve. The currently fashionable treatment for displaced fractures is closed reduction and the insertion of at least two K-wires. This usually requires the patient to have a second surgery to remove the K-wires, and may result in significant scarring. The senior author has used the straight arm method to treat displaced supracondylar fractures. We have reviewed the long term results of seven children treated by the straight arm method. No patient had a scar, no patient had a cubitus varus and all children regained a full range of movement. This method offers excellent results with no risk of iatrogenic nerve injury, scarring, or second surgery.
Correspondence should be addressed to Associate Professor N. Susan Stott at Orthopaedic Department, Starship Children’s Hospital, Private Bag 92024, Auckland, New Zealand
