A 6 year old child has an accident and had elbow, after 4 years presented with tingling and numbness in the ulnar side of finger, fracture is

Okay, let's tackle this question. The patient is a 6-year-old who had an elbow injury and now, four years later, is experiencing tingling and numbness in the ulnar side of the fingers. The question is asking about the type of fracture that would lead to this presentation.

First, I need to recall the anatomy of the elbow. The ulnar nerve runs through the elbow, passing through the cubital tunnel. Any injury or fracture that causes compression or damage to this nerve could lead to symptoms in the ulnar distribution, which includes the medial aspect of the hand and the ulnar side of the fingers.

Common elbow fractures in children include supracondylar fractures of the humerus, which are more common in younger kids. These fractures can lead to swelling and pressure on the ulnar nerve, especially if there's a malunion or if the fracture is displaced. The ulnar nerve is particularly vulnerable in this area because it's located just medial to the humeral condyles.

Another possibility is a medial epicondyle fracture. The medial epicondyle is part of the humerus where the ulnar nerve is close by. A fracture here could directly injure the nerve or cause it to become compressed as the bone heals in an abnormal position. This could lead to ulnar neuropathy, which presents with the symptoms described.

Options might include other types of fractures. For example, a lateral epicondyle fracture might affect the radial nerve, but that's not the case here. A distal humerus fracture could involve multiple nerves, but the specific ulnar symptoms point more towards a medial injury. A Monteggia fracture involves the proximal ulna and radial head, which is less likely to compress the ulnar nerve in this scenario.

The key here is the delayed presentation. The symptoms appeared four years after the injury, which suggests that the initial injury didn't cause immediate nerve damage but led to a situation where the nerve was compressed over time, possibly due to malunion or bony overgrowth. So, the most likely fracture type would be one that, when healed improperly, could compress the ulnar nerve.

Therefore, the correct answer is a medial epicondyle fracture, as this is a common elbow injury in children and can lead to ulnar nerve issues if not properly managed.

**Core Concept**
This question tests knowledge of pediatric elbow fractures and their long-term neurological complications. The ulnar nerve is particularly vulnerable to injury or compression at the medial epicondyle, especially after fractures involving the medial aspect of the elbow.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
A medial epicondyle fracture in a child can lead to ulnar nerve compression or injury, especially if the fracture heals in a malunited or displaced position. The ulnar nerve runs posterior to the medial epicondyle, and chronic mechanical irritation from bony overgrowth or scar tissue over years can cause entrapment, leading to sensory deficits in the ulnar-innervated fingers. The delayed presentation (4 years post-injury) is classic for this scenario.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** A supracondylar humerus fracture typically causes compartment syndrome or radial nerve injury, not ulnar symptoms.
**Option B:** Lateral epicondyle fractures affect the radial nerve, causing sensory loss in the dorsum of the hand, not the ulnar side

✓ Correct Answer: B. lateral condylar humerus