Type four fracture of the medial epicondyle: a true indication for surgical intervention

Fourteen consecutive cases with type 4 fracture of the medial epicondyle were evaluated following open reduction and internal fixation of the displaced medial epicondyle. The mean age was 9.7 years (range 6-16) and the mean follow-up was 17.2 months (range 12-24). Operative treatment yielded excellent results with no loss of functional range of motion, residual deformity or instability. There were three cases with pre-operative symptoms of ulnar nerve injury which made a good recovery following neurolysis of the ulnar nerve. Type 4 fractures are commonly associated with intra-articular entrapment of the ulnar nerve and result from serious damage to the soft tissues on the medial side of the elbow. Assessing instability is therefore of key importance, as is the intra-operative gravity stress-valgus test in assessing instability.