Supracondylar Humerus Fractures eMedicine Orthopedics

Description: Author: Mark A Noffsinger, MD 2007, Updated August 2009
Distal humerus fractures in adults are relatively uncommon injuries, representing only approximately 3% of all fractures in adults. In a study from Massachusetts General Hospital of 4536 consecutive fractures in adults seen in the Massachusetts General Hospital emergency department, only 0.31% were supracondylar (bicolumn) fractures of the distal humerus. Although these injuries are relatively rare, most orthopedic surgeons are called upon to evaluate and treat patients with these injuries and, therefore, must be equipped to achieve optimal outcomes.
Synonyms and related keywords: distal humerus fractures, bicolumn humerus fractures