Osteosynthesis for longstanding nonunion of the lateral humeral condyle

Six patients with symptomatic longstanding nonunion of the lateral humeral condyle were treated by internal fixation with iliac bone graft. The indication for surgery was pain and weakness in the elbow. Follow-up ranged from 18 months to 4 years, with an average of 28 months. Bony union was achieved in all cases. Stability and strength of the elbow were restored in all cases, but postoperative elbow motion was decreased in three patients, with an average loss of 6.7 degrees of the motion present before surgery. All patients were painfree in the elbow upon strenuous activities and satisfied with the outcome of the procedure.