Three-dimensional evaluation of condylar morphology after closed treatment of unilateral intracapsular condylar fracture in children and adolescents

Abstract Purpose To investigate the condylar morphology after closed treatment of unilateral intracapsular condylar fracture in children and adolescents through three-dimensional evaluation and to explore the influence of age, types of fracture, follow-up period, treatment methods, and concomitant fractures on the treatment effectiveness. Materials and methods The medical records of patients who underwent closed treatment for condylar fractures from January 2006 to December 2018 were reviewed. The fractured sides were included in the study group and the opposite healthy joints were included in the control group. The height of articular eminence, depth of glenoid fossa, length & width & thickness of condylar process, length & width of the ramus, and deviation of pogonion were measured three-dimensionally. Results 31 participants were included in the study. The length of condylar process was 2.10±3.77 mm (P=0.004) shorter, the depth of glenoid fossa was 1.09±2.13 mm (P=0.040) shallower, and the length of ramus was 1.55±2.49 mm (P=0.002) longer in fractured side than the ones in healthy side after closed treatment. The pogonion deviated 0.48±1.7 mm to the fractured side, but no statistical significance was found (P=0.129). Conclusions Children had great growth potential to compensate the shortening of condylar process after intracapsular condylar fracture, so closed treatment could be an effective therapy for young children and adolescents.