Medial Epicondyle Injuries

Separation of the epiphysis of the medial (internal) epicondyle (epitrochlea) of the humerus is, as the name implies, an injury of childhood or adolescence. Its occurrence is more frequent than is usually supposed. It may occur in conjunction with a dislocation of the elbow joint, or it may occur alone. The general consensus that this is an injury of serious magnitude would seem to depend on the following reasons: 1. Since a growing portion of the bone is injured, there must therefore result a high proportion of growth disturbance, with its accompanying deformity and disability. 2. Unless nearly perfect reduction of the displaced epicondyle fragment is obtained with closed or open reduction. there will occur a likelihood of fibrous union rather than bony union, with resulting pain and disability. 3. Uncorrected distal displacement of the epicondyle will lead to weakness of the flexor muscles of the wrist. 4. Ulnar nerve