Proximal Humerus Fracture

Abstract

Proximal humerus fractures usually occur in adolescence, in relation to trauma during sports, by direct or indirect mechanisms. There is another group of fractures related to childbirth (obstetric trauma), or falls from bed in preschoolers. Most of proximal humerus fracture correspond to Salter-Harris type I or II physeal fractures, and, due to the extraordinary growth and remodeling potential of the proximal humerus physis, they are mostly treated successfully using conservative methods, with excellent functional and anatomical results. We classify them according to their displacement as Neer and Horowitz published. Surgical treatment is only indicated in fractures with severe displacement and in children with advanced skeletal maturity.