A Case of a 22-Year-old Boy with an Elbow Deformity since Childhood

Recently, a young boy visited Dr.Ratnav Ratan, a highly experienced orthopedist in Gurgaon with an elbow deformity.

Background

A 22-year-old boy from Iraq had an elbow deformitythat had occurred due to an injury in childhood.He had a supracondylar humerus fracture during childhood, which had malunited and resulted in an elbow deformity. The deformity was cosmetically unpleasing and was causing elbow instability and ulnar nerve irritation symptoms.

Diagnosis

Dr.Ratnav Ratan, an expert trauma and injuries doctor in Gurgaon, diagnosed the elbow deformity as a cubitus varus deformity. This deformity is also known as gunstock deformity as the elbow resembles a gunstock.

Management

During preoperative planning, X-rays were done to compare both the elbows and angles were calculated.

After that, a step-cut osteotomy was done, removing a wedge of 30degrees. The elbow was fixed into place using a lateral locking plate and a medial screw. The elbow fixation was stable, and the patient was able to move immediately after surgery.

Within 4weeks, he regained complete range of motion with no pain in the treated elbow. Furthermore, the treated elbow looked almost like the other elbow.

Follow Up

At the 6^th week follow up the patientwas delighted with the result, and his elbow was completely straight and functional. No follow-up procedure was required after that except active elbow exercises under supervision.

Before and After