Supracondylar spur
Updates to Article Attributes
A supracondylar spur (supracondylar process or supratrochlear spur) is an anatomical variant present in ~1% 1-2 of the population.
Gross anatomy
The supracondylar spur is typically located on the antero-medially humeralanteromedial humeral cortex, 5 cm proximal to and pointing towards the medial epicondyle of the humerus 3.
This structure is often considered a vestigial structure, as a supracondylar canal (or foramen) can be found as a normal structure in many more primitive mammals, such as in felines 1.
The ligament of Struthers may be present and join the tip of this process with the medial epicondyle 1, forming a supracondylar canal through which the median nerve and brachial artery passes 2. This ligament is thought to represent the vestigal third head of coracobrachialis. The two main heads surround the musculocutaneous nerve and then fuse in human foetuses, which explains why the nerve passes through the muscle 4.
Clinical presentation
Most patients are asymptomatic although it should be considered if patients present with symptoms of median nerve compression and there is no pathology on imaging of the carpal tunnel.
This can also result in compression of the brachial artery.
Radiographic features
Conventional radiograph
Typically, it is seen as a small bony spur projecting antero-mediallyanteromedially from the humeral metadiaphysis towards the elbow joint.
Treatment and prognosis
Complications
- supracondylar process syndrome: associated neuropathy of the median nerve 1
- brachial artery compression
Differential diagnosis
-<p>A <strong>supracondylar spur</strong> (<strong>supracondylar process </strong>or<strong> supratrochlear spur</strong>) is an anatomical variant present in ~1% <sup>1-2</sup> of the population. </p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>The supracondylar spur is typically located on the antero-medially humeral cortex, 5 cm proximal to and pointing towards the medial epicondyle of the <a href="/articles/humerus">humerus</a> <sup>3</sup>. </p><p>This structure is often considered a vestigial structure, as a supracondylar canal (or foramen) can be found as a normal structure in many more primitive mammals, such as in felines <sup>1</sup>.</p><p>The <strong>ligament of Struthers</strong> may be present and join the tip of this process with the medial epicondyle <sup>1</sup>, forming a <strong>supracondylar canal</strong> through which the <a href="/articles/median-nerve">median nerve</a> and <a href="/articles/brachial-artery">brachial artery</a> passes <sup>2</sup>. This ligament is thought to represent the vestigal third head of coracobrachialis. The two main heads surround the musculocutaneous nerve and then fuse in human foetuses, which explains why the nerve passes through the muscle <sup>4</sup>.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Most patients are asymptomatic although it should be considered if patients present with symptoms of median nerve compression and there is no pathology on imaging of the <a href="/articles/carpal-tunnel">carpal tunnel</a>.</p><p>This can also result in compression of the <a href="/articles/brachial-artery">brachial artery</a>. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Conventional radiograph</h5><p>Typically, it is seen as a small bony spur projecting antero-medially from the humeral metadiaphysis <strong>towards</strong> the elbow joint.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><h5>Complications</h5><ul>- +<p>A <strong>supracondylar spur</strong> (<strong>supracondylar process </strong>or<strong> supratrochlear spur</strong>) is an anatomical variant present in ~1% <sup>1-2</sup> of the population. </p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>The supracondylar spur is typically located on the anteromedial humeral cortex, 5 cm proximal to and pointing towards the medial epicondyle of the <a href="/articles/humerus">humerus</a> <sup>3</sup>. </p><p>This structure is often considered a vestigial structure, as a supracondylar canal (or foramen) can be found as a normal structure in many more primitive mammals, such as in felines <sup>1</sup>.</p><p>The <strong>ligament of Struthers</strong> may be present and join the tip of this process with the medial epicondyle <sup>1</sup>, forming a <strong>supracondylar canal</strong> through which the <a href="/articles/median-nerve">median nerve</a> and <a href="/articles/brachial-artery">brachial artery</a> passes <sup>2</sup>. This ligament is thought to represent the vestigal third head of coracobrachialis. The two main heads surround the musculocutaneous nerve and then fuse in human foetuses, which explains why the nerve passes through the muscle <sup>4</sup>.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Most patients are asymptomatic although it should be considered if patients present with symptoms of median nerve compression and there is no pathology on imaging of the <a href="/articles/carpal-tunnel">carpal tunnel</a>.</p><p>This can also result in compression of the <a href="/articles/brachial-artery">brachial artery</a>. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Conventional radiograph</h5><p>Typically, it is seen as a small bony spur projecting anteromedially from the humeral metadiaphysis towards the elbow joint.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><h5>Complications</h5><ul>
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