Presentation
The patient was involved in a street accident while riding his bike and landed on his outstretched hand with the elbow in extension. Tenderness on the medial aspect of the elbow. Painfully restricted movement in the elbow joint. No neurovascular deficit.
Patient Data
A half moon shaped fragment was found proximal and anterior to the distal humerus revealing a trochlear shear fracture on anteroposterior view.
A positive anterior fat pad sign is present.
Case Discussion
Our patient underwent open reduction. Isolated trochlea fracture in adults is a rarity as compared to a capitellar fracture. This fracture is usually not mentioned in the standard orthopedic textbooks.
Isolated fracture of the humeral trochlea was first documented by Laugier in 1853 and later credited by Stimson. The trochlea fracture is sometimes known as Laugier's fracture.