Supracondylar fractures are the most common elbow fractures in children. Fall onto the outstretched hand with the elbow in full extension is the main mechanism of injury.

Gartland type I fractures are undisplaced or minimally displaced supracondylar fractures. Sometimes, fracture lines are difficult to be seen on Gartland type I fractures. In these cases, it is important to look for indirect signs of a supracondylar fracture, such as:

• presence of elbow joint effusion;
• the anterior humeral line does not intersect the middle third of the capitellum.

In the present case, there was a small elbow joint effusion. The anterior humeral line was not passing through the middle third of the capitellum.

Finally, it's important to be familiar with the elbow ossification centers when assessing a pediatric elbow. In this case, the capitellum, radial head, and medial epicondyle ossification centers are visible, which is normal given the patient's age.