Authors of section


Andrew Howard, Theddy Slongo

Executive Editor

Fergal Monsell

General Editor

Chris Colton

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Medial approach

1. Main indication for medial approach in trauma

The main indications for a medial approach to the distal humerus are:

  • Open fixation of medial epicondylar fractures
  • Visualization of the medial epicondyle for safe K-wire insertion when using bilateral crossed K-wiring
  • Ulnar nerve exploration

Note: The medial approach, including opening of the joint, is not an ideal procedure for supracondylar fractures.

2. Skin incision




open medial epicondylar reduction and internal fixation

3. Identification of the ulnar nerve

The ulnar nerve is identified proximally between the triceps muscle and the medial intermuscular septum, in the groove posterior to the medial epicondyle and distally between two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris.

The ulnar nerve is gently freed and protected. If anterior transposition of the nerve becomes necessary, care must be taken to preserve the motor branch to the flexor carpi ulnaris.

medial approach

4. Deep dissection

The ulnar nerve is then gently retracted with a latex loop, or a broad small smooth retractor.

The medial supracondylar ridge of the humerus, the medial intermuscular septum, and the origin of the flexor/pronator muscle mass should be identified.

medial approach

The medial intermuscular septum is released from the medial supracondylar ridge of the humerus for a distance of about 3 cm proximally.

medial approach

5. Opening the joint

If there is an indication to open the joint, the following steps should be followed.

The flexor/pronator muscle mass is retracted anteriorly to expose the joint capsule. The planned capsulotomy is marked here in red.

medial approach

The capsule is incised longitudinally and reflected anteriorly and posteriorly from the humerus as necessary.

medial approach

6. Closure

The capsule is closed with continuous resorbable sutures (3/0).

Skin and subcutaneous tissue are closed with fine resorbable sutures (this avoids any distress to the child in removing nonabsorbable sutures).