BOW ELBOW (CUBITUS VARUS)

The normal carrying angle of 10 to 20 degrees is present early in intra-uterine life, does not change during childhood, and remains remarkably constant throughout adult life. An unreduced fracture of the lateral humeral condyle will result in a marked exaggeration of this angle, while an unredueed supracondylar fracture is the common cause of cubitus varus. This latter deformity is unsightly but remarkably quiescent. Fifteen such deformities have been corrected surgically with excellent results, no permanent complications, and no recurrences.