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Primary Surgery Vol.2 – Trauma : The shoulder and upper arm : Displacement of the upper humeral epiphysis

71.15 Displacement of the upper humeral epiphysis

In children between 5 and 15 years the head of the humerus sometimes becomes detached from the shaft, and may take a piece of the shaft with it. The head of the humerus is very mobile, so reduction can be difficult. Perfect reduction is not necessary because the head readily remodels. Anaesthetize the child, reduce the displacement by abducting his arm. Maintain traction in bed for 2 weeks as in Fig. 72-11. Then protect it in a sling for another week.

IF AN ADULT INJURES HIS SHOULDER, EXERCISE HIS ELBOW AND FINGERS FROM THE BEGINNING
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Figure 71.14: FRACTURES OF THE SHAFT OF THE HUMERUS. Put the patient’s arm into a narrow sling, so that half the weight of his forearm acts on the lower fragment to reduce the overlap and the angulation. All these fractures can be treated in the same way.
Previous: Dislocation of the shoulder with fracture of the neck of the humerus Up: The shoulder and upper arm Next: Fractures of the shaft of the humerus Primary Surgery Vol.2 – Trauma