CASE:

This is a 4 year old female who presents to the emergency department with a forearm injury after falling off the jungle gym (playground bars) at the park. Her mother noted that her forearm was deformed and she was complaining of persistent pain. She denies trauma or pain elsewhere.

Her past medical history is unremarkable.

Examination:

Vital Status is normal. She is alert and comfortable in no distress. HEAD & ENT are unremarkable.

Chest and abdomen are unremarkable. There is a modest deformity of her left mid-forearm.

Tenderness is noted in the area of the deformity. Her wrist and hand are non-tender.

No bruising is noted. Her pulses are good and sensation is intact.

She moves her fingers well. Her elbow and humerus are non-tender.

Radiographs of her left forearm are obtained. View forearm radiographs.

Although there is an obvious deformity of her forearm on exam, no fracture is evident here. Her elbow does not demonstrate a joint effusion and her radial head is of normal contour and is well aligned with the capitellum.

What is the diagnosis?

Last created on 01-07-2006