Patterns of supracondylar humerus fractures among children with musculoskeletal trauma seen at Mulago National Referral Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Supracondylar humerus fractures constitute a big burden of musculoskeletal injuries among children treated in emergency departments. Supracondylar humeral fractures were the most common elbow fractures seen in pediatric population with musculoskeletal injuries. They accounted for approximately 60% of all fractures at the elbow and have been documented to comprise up to 13% of all pediatric fractures in United States. This study was set to find out patterns of supracondylar humerus fracture among children with musculoskeletal trauma seen at Mulago National Referral Hospital. Methodology: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study. All eligible with supracondylar humerus fractures who presented to Mulago A&E and Orthopaedic surgical outpatient clinics between 20th November and 30th March were consecutively recruited. All 48 participants were under 14 years old, their Data was collected using a questionnaire and plain radiographs of the injured elbows were taken and interpreted by a radiologist. Descriptive (mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage) statics were used to analyse data. Alpha level was set at P < 0.05. Data were summarised in tables, pia chart and graphs. Results: A total of 48 patients were recruited for the study, the mean ± SD age was 6.44±2.68 years, 36 (75%) were male. The median time from injury to present was 5 days (IQR 1, 6.5). The commonest cause of injuries was fall with 37 (77.08%) of all causes, 58.33% of these had left limb involvement. Gartland type I was the commonest radiological finding with proportions of 56.25%, followed by type II at 25.00% and type III at 18.75%. Conclusion: The commonest cause of these fractures was due to fall and most of them happened at home which could be preventable. Most of the participants came late to seek for specialized care. We therefore recommend sensitization of community members about fractures of the elbows and complications of late presentation and others studies to evaluate the outcome of treatment of supracondylar humerus fracture at Mulago NRH need to be carried out.