Supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children

Thirty-five children were evaluated at a mean of 2 years, 3 months following treatment of supracondylar fractures of the humerus. Elbow motion, clinical carrying angle, and roentgenographic measurements including Baumann's angle, humeral-ulnar angle, and metaphyseal-diaphyseal angle were determined for both the normal and the involved extremities. The humeral-ulnar angle best correlated with the final clinical carrying angle, followed by Baumann's angle and the metaphyseal-diaphyseal angle. We recommend postreduction measurement of the humeral-ulnar angle in fractures that have been surgically stabilized and Baumann's angle in those fractures treated by cast immobilization alone to determine the adequacy of reduction.