Fractures of the distal humerus usually involve the supracondylar portion of the humerus and are extraarticular. Less common fractures of this region include transcondylar, bicondylar, and intercondylar fractures which involve the articular surface of the elbow (and are termed intraarticular). Volkmann's ischemic contracture (due to decreased blood supply) of the hand is a known complication of the supracondylar fracture. The supracondylar fracture is generally due to hyperextension injury due to a fall on an outstretched hand.

A	Lateral radiograph of the elbow.
B	AP radiograph of the elbow. The patient has sustained an obliquely oriented supracondylar fracture and has been placed in a cast.

Links to online textbooks:

• Wheeless' Orthopedics: discussion of condylar fractures

Links to online cases:

• University of Hawaii
• Emedicine.com

References:

• Hindman BW, Schreiber RR, Wiss DA, Ghilarducci MJ, Avolio RE: Supracondylar fractures of the humerus: prediction of the cubitus varus deformity with CT Radiology. 1988 Aug;168(2):513-5.           [See related articles]
• Lins RE, Simovitch RW, Waters PM: Pediatric elbow trauma Orthop Clin North Am. 1999 Jan;30(1):119-32.           [See related articles]