Emergency case
Case of an 8-year-old boy who was admitted to the emergency department after falling on his left hand with outstretched upper extremity. In the clinical examination there was an open wound in the transverse antecubital region. Distal humerus and articular surface could be seen by looking through the wound. Although neurological examination showed no pathology, distal pulses could not be palpated. X-ray showed a posterior elbow dislocation without accompanying fracture. Because of the strong possibility of brachial artery injury, the patient had consulted to the vascular surgeon. The patient received emergent surgery under general anesthesia. Following the exploration of the open wound in the elbow, open reduction was performed. Intra-articular debris was washed out, brachial artery was identified and repaired. After 4 weeks follow-up with splint, patient started controlled active assistive exercises. By the end of the 12th week movement was completely allowed. Credit: Gökhan Polata, Gökhan Karademira et al., International Journal of Surgery
The extremely important thing is that he didn’t have any elbow breaks
Was the articular cartilage of the distal humerus totally severed? If so, how was that repaired?
