Partial Tear of the Common Flexor Tendon and Medial Ulnar Collateral Ligament in a Six-Year-Old After a Minor Traumatic Injury: A Case Report

TL;DR

A six-year-old boy recovered fully from a rare elbow injury involving the medial ulnar collateral ligament and common flexor tendon after a minor trauma.

Contribution

This case report documents a rare pediatric elbow injury and its successful non-surgical treatment.

Findings

A six-year-old boy had a partial tear of the common flexor tendon and medial ulnar collateral ligament.

The patient fully recovered after a short immobilization period and gradual resumption of activities.

No long-term complications were observed at one and three-month follow-ups.

Abstract

Acute traumatic medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL) injury, associated with a high-grade sprain of the common flexor tendon and a low-grade sprain of the annular ligament, is an uncommon occurrence in the non-athletic pediatric demographic. At present, there is a lack of high-quality, evidence-based research that details comparable injuries. Furthermore, to our knowledge, there are no established guidelines that provide direction for the optimal treatment of this specific injury.

We report a case involving a six-year-old boy who suffered an acute traumatic MUCL injury to his right elbow. This injury was associated with a high-grade injury to the common flexor tendon, alongside a low-grade sprain of the annular ligament and a minor tear of the ulnar nerve. The patient exhibited persistent pain and a limited range of motion. He received treatment that included a brief period of immobilization, after which he gradually resumed his daily activities without any restrictions. Follow-up visits after one month and three months indicated a complete resolution of pain and a full recovery of the elbow’s range of motion.

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