complications

Last reviewed 01/2018

The principal complication of supracondylar fractures is injury to the brachial artery, which runs in close apposition to the site of this fracture. Damage to the artery can result in oedema in the forearm with compartment syndrome developing.

Other complications include:

• injury to the median nerve - this is rarely permanent
• tardy ulnar palsy - a late complication caused by stretching of the ulnar nerve
• malunion, which may result in the so-called gunstock deformity