An epicondylar elbow fracture is a broken bone (fracture) in the elbow involving the attachment of the forearm muscles and elbow ligaments to the humerus (arm bone). This usually occurs in children. These fractures often result from a separation at the growth plate, the weakest point in the growing skeleton, and the break may be complete or incomplete. The inner (medial) epicondyle is the attachment of the muscles that flex (bend down) the wrist and the medial ulnar collateral ligament, whereas the outer (lateral) epicondyle is the attachment of the muscles that extend (bend up) the wrist and the lateral unar collateral ligament.
Frequent Signs and Symptoms
- Severe elbow pain at the time of injury
- Tenderness, swelling, and later bruising of the elbow
- Visible deformity if the fracture is complete and bone fragments separate (are displaced) enough to distort normal body contours
- Numbness, coldness, or paralysis in the elbow, forearm, or hand from pressure on the blood vessels or nerves (uncommon)