Abstract
The primary objective of this study was to determine if paediatric proximal humerus fractures undergo significant displacement resulting in change in management.
A retrospective analysis was performed on children who presented with proximal humeral fractures to our institution between 2009 and 2014. Patients were included if they were diagnosed with a fracture of the proximal humerus in the absence of an underlying bone cyst or pathological condition. Patients with open fractures, multiple fractures, neurologic, or vascular injuries were excluded. The primary endpoint was conversion to operative treatment after initial non-operative management. Secondary endpoints were a healed fracture with acceptable alignment at the final radiographic evaluation, as well as the number of follow-up radiographs obtained after the initiation of non-operative management.
A decision to manage the fracture operatively at the initial presentation was made in 14 out of 239 patients. Of the 225 patients that were initially managed non-operatively, only 1 patient underwent subsequent surgical management. In this series, no non-unions, re-fractures, nor fracture-dislocations were identified.
These data support that the majority of management decisions for paediatric proximal humeral fractures are made at the initial presentation. Once non-operative management is chosen, routine follow-up imaging rarely leads to any change in treatment.
