LAUSR

Background Supracondylar humerus fractures are usual in children but their recent trends are unclear. Material and Methods A population‐based study was performed to determine the epidemiology of childhood supracondylar humerus fractures during the decade, 2000 to 2009, in a geographic area of Oulu, Finland. Altogether, 565 extension‐type supracondylar humerus fractures were included. The fractures and their treatment were analyzed according to the Gartland classification. Results Fracture incidence increased by 28%, from 50.9 to 65.2 per 100,000 during 2000 to 2009 (&bgr; = 1.03, p < 0.001). The increase was from 41.3 to 57.6 per 100,000 in girls (&bgr; = 1.9, p < 0.001). Trampoline‐related fractures in particular increased in girls. Type II fractures increased twofold from 7.1 to 16.3 per 100,000 (&bgr; = 1.1, p < 0.001), whereas type I fractures decreased from 22.4 to 20.9 per 100,000 (&bgr; = −0.3, p = 0.026). Surgical treatment increased during the 10 years study period from 32.6 to 51.8% (p = 0.022); it was in particular due to increase of operative care of type II fractures (from 5.9% in 2000‐2001 to 37.1% in 2008‐2009; p = 0.011). Lateral pin fixation increased from nil to six (10.7%) (p < 0.001). Conclusion The incidence and surgical stabilization of type II fractures in particular are increasing. There is a trend toward lateral pin fixation.