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Updated: Oct 20, 2025

Treatment with Locking Intramedullary Nailing for Intertrochanteric Fracture of the Femur Utilizing a New Awl with a Distal Positioner
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Treatment with Locking Intramedullary Nailing for Intertrochanteric Fracture of the Femur Utilizing a New Awl with a Distal Positioner

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[Proximal humeral fractures in children: large remodeling capacity, conservative treatment]

Boris A de Cort1,2, Kaj Ten Duis1, Geertje A M Govaert3

  • 1Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, afd. Traumachirurgie, Groningen.

Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|September 15, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Severely displaced proximal humeral fractures in children often heal well with conservative treatment. The proximal humerus

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedic surgery
  • Pediatric orthopedics
  • Pediatric trauma

Background:

  • Proximal humeral fractures are uncommon in children, accounting for 1.5-3% of all pediatric fractures.
  • Conservative management is typically preferred, especially in younger patients, due to the proximal growth plate's significant remodeling potential.

Observation:

  • Two pediatric cases (12-year-old girl, 13-year-old boy) presented with severely displaced proximal humeral fractures (80-90 degrees angulation).
  • Both patients underwent non-operative treatment following their injuries.

Findings:

  • Follow-up X-rays demonstrated complete remodeling of the humeral head in both cases.
  • Both patients achieved full functional recovery of the shoulder joint.

Implications:

  • Severely displaced proximal humeral fractures in children can often be managed nonoperatively.
  • This highlights the importance of considering the growth plate's remodeling capacity to avoid unnecessary surgical interventions in pediatric fracture care.

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