[Lateral humeral condyle fractures in children call for follow-up X-ray]

Lateral humeral condyle fractures are among the most common elbow fractures in children (20%), often in children aged six to ten years. X-rays of children this age are hard to interpret, and a seemingly undislocated fracture can still be unstable. Failure to recognise this problem can lead to the wrong treatment, non-union and malfunction of the elbow. An 11-year-old boy fell on his left arm. A plaster cast was administered and worn for four weeks without control X-ray. Four months later the boy had an extension defect of ten degrees, and a control computed tomography confirmed non-union.