Supracondylar fractures of the humerus. Assessment of cubitus varus by the Baumann angle

Abstract

A simple method of radiological assessment has been used to measure the angle between the long axis of the humeral shaft and the growth plate of the capitellum (the Baumann angle). In the normal arm a significant relationship was found between the Baumann angle and the carrying angle. The Baumann angle was also measured after reduction of supracondylar fractures of the humerus and was found to correlate well with the final carrying angle measured at follow-up. There was no significant difference between the Baumann angle after reduction and that measured at follow-up; and it is suggested that this angle after reduction can be reliably used to predict accurately the final carrying angle.