Ulnar nerve injury post Cubitus varus correction by lateral closing wedge osteotomy

BACKGROUND: Supracondylar fractures of the humerus are the most common elbow injuries in skeletally immature children between 5 and 15 years of age. Managed conservatively or treated inadequately these fractures result in malunion-producing Cubitus varus deformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied a 9-year-old male patient who presented to us with cubitus varus deformity owing to the conservative management of previous Supracondylar humerus fracture. Patient was operated by Lateral closing wedge osteotomy. Pre operative and post operative assessment was done clinically and with the help of radiographs. RESULT: Patient developed ulnar nerve palsy owing to the overcorrection of deformity which ultimately required ulnar nerve release and anterior transposition. Complete functional recovery was achieved 6 months post index surgery. CONCLUSION: Lateral closing wedge osteotomy provides an effective and relatively simple way for correcting cubitus varus deformity yet can result in ulnar nerve palsy in the event of overcorrection.