Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
10:10

Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

Published on: July 5, 2011

Remodeling of birth fractures of the humeral diaphysis

Sohail N Husain1, Erik C King, Jeffrey L Young

  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.

Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics
|December 25, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Birth fractures of the humerus in infants remodel significantly, indicating that anatomical reduction is unnecessary. Nonoperative management, often with simple swaddling, is sufficient for these pediatric fractures.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Orthopaedics
  • Pediatric Traumatology
  • Limb Development and Remodeling

Background:

  • Birth fractures of the humeral diaphysis are common in pediatric orthopaedic practice.
  • Current treatment is nonoperative, but the limits of acceptable deformity are not well-defined.
  • Limited literature exists on the remodeling potential of these fractures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the remodeling capacity of birth fractures of the humeral diaphysis.
  • To determine the acceptable degree of deformity in these pediatric fractures.
  • To inform treatment strategies for humeral shaft fractures in newborns.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of pediatric patients with birth fractures of the humerus (2001-2005).
  • Measurement of fracture angulation and displacement at presentation and follow-up.
  • Radiographic assessment of 9 patients with over 4 months of follow-up.

Main Results:

  • All fractures were treated nonoperatively, primarily with swaddling.
  • Mean initial angulation was 26° coronal and 25° sagittal, remodeling to 5° coronal and 7° sagittal.
  • A maximum initial angulation of 66° remodeled to 5° within 7.3 months.

Conclusions:

  • Infants possess a remarkable capacity for remodeling of humeral diaphysis fractures.
  • Anatomical reduction is not required for these fractures.
  • Simple immobilization methods are adequate, avoiding complex interventions.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Fractures: Bone Repair01:27

Fractures: Bone Repair

Treatment for a fracture is based on the type of break, the bone affected, and the patient's age.
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
Bones of the Upper Limb: Humerus01:19

Bones of the Upper Limb: Humerus

The upper limb consists of the arm, forearm, wrist, and hand bones. The humerus is the single bone of the upper arm region. Proximally, it has a large, spherical, smooth head that articulates with the glenoid cavity of the scapula to form the glenohumeral or shoulder joint. The margin of the head is the anatomical neck, a residual epiphyseal plate. Laterally it extends to form bony projections called the greater tubercle and the lesser tubercle. Next to the tubercles is the surgical neck, a...
Bone Remodeling01:40

Bone Remodeling

Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
Bones of the Upper Limb: Ulna01:15

Bones of the Upper Limb: Ulna

The ulna and radius are parallel bones of the antebrachium or the forearm. The ulna lies medially and consists of a bony tip called the olecranon process at its proximal end. This hook-like projection articulates with the olecranon fossa of the humerus and forms the "hinged" ulnohumeral part of the elbow joint. This joint facilitates forearm extension and flexion while preventing its hyperextension. Similarly, the coronoid process, another bony projection on the proximal/anterior side of the...
Bones of the Upper Limb: Radius01:09

Bones of the Upper Limb: Radius

The radius is longer of the two bones that make up the human antebrachium or forearm. At the proximal end, the radius articulates with the capitulum of the humerus and the radial notch of the ulna to form the elbow joint. At the distal end, the radius articulates with the ulna via the ulnar notch, forming the distal radioulnar joint. Distally, the radius also attaches to the carpal wrist bones (scaphoid and lunate) to form the radiocarpal joint.
The radius has a nail-shaped head, and a short...
Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age01:09

Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age

The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...