Epidemiological Evaluation of Pediatric Elbow Injuries: A Retrospective Observational Single Center

Introduction Elbow fractures are the commonest fractures in the pediatric age group. The aim of this study is to evaluate the epidemiology of fresh and neglected pediatric elbow fractures in a hilly state of India with a limited health care facility. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective observational single-center study conducted between January 2019 and January 2021. Results Supracondylar was the most common fracture in 58.7% of patients followed by lateral condyle and proximal radius fracture. The highest number of fractures were reported in the age group of 5 to 8 years. In addition, 19% of patients presented with associated complications, 8% of patients had combination injuries of the ipsilateral upper limb, 16% of patients presented to the hospital 1 week after the trauma, 48% of patients had the first contact with a bonesetter/native practitioner. Conclusion Supracondylar fracture was the most common elbow fracture followed by lateral condyle. The most common involved age group was 5 to 8 years. A significant number of elbow fractures are mismanaged by native practitioners in rural India