Again, the importance of differentiating this injury from fracture of the lateral condyle must be emphasized. The latter disrupts the joint surface when displacement occurs and usually must be treated by open reduction in order to obtain a satisfactory result. On the other hand, a fracture separation of the epiphysis will respond very well to closed management, since the joint surface is intact.
The displacement of the radius and ulna along with the capitellar ossification center is pathognomonic of this injury. The patient's family should be warned of the possibility of growth disturbance and changes in the carrying angle of the elbow due to the injury to the epiphyseal cartilage.