Supracondylar Fracture of the Humerus

Supracondytar fractures of the humerus are common in childhood, and in less developed countries many late malunions are seen. A restricted range of elbow movement often makes it difficult to measure varus-valgus deformity clinically. This can be assessed from bony points but may be hindered by chronic swelling around the elbow. In these cases the pronation-supination range of the forearm is almost never restricted and can be used to measure the angle of varus-valgus deformity, since the arc of this range depends on the orientation of the lower end of the humerus. Method. The patient is examined with both elbows at 90#{176} flexion, and the upper arms vertical. A rod is held in each hand, and the patient is asked to pronate fully and then to supinate both forearms (Figs 1 and 2). The maximum