Abstract
Although fractures of the proximal humerus are common among older adults, open fractures following low-energy trauma are exceptionally rare. Prior studies have alluded to the existence of this injury, but there are no detailed reports on its presentation, management, or long-term follow-up. We present the case of a 78-year-old man that sustained a suspiciously open proximal humerus fracture of the dominant hand following a fall down a few stairs. Management consisted of early intravenous antibiotics followed by open reduction and internal fixation with irrigation and debridement. Intraoperative soft tissue assessment revealed a wound extending from bone to skin. The patient suffered no complications, regained full function of his arm, and is pain free. Considering the rarity of this injury and its potential for highly morbid complications, this case serves as a reminder that we should continue to have a low suspicion threshold for open fracture when punctures or lesions are present around proximal humerus fractures, even for low-energy injuries. Prompt and thorough examination, initiation of antibiotics, and surgical intervention are keys to providing best care for this uncommon injury.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | 100686 |
| Journal | Trauma Case Reports |
| Volume | 41 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:All authors contributed to the conception, design, writing, and critical revision of the final manuscript. This work received no funding.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022
Keywords
- Geriatric trauma
- Low-energy fracture
- Open proximal humerus fracture
- Orthopaedic trauma
PubMed: MeSH publication types
- Case Reports