Missed Thrower's Fracture of the Humerus in a Pediatric Athlete: A Case Report

Publication date: Available online 1 September 2018

Source: The Journal of Emergency Medicine

Author(s): Eric D. Wicks, Alex E. White, Sh’Rae Marshall, Christopher J. Hadley, Christopher C. Dodson

Abstract

Background

Humerus fractures caused by the throwing motion are extremely rare. They have been reported mostly in recreational adult athletes in their third or later decades of life. A pediatric thrower's fracture is even less common, with few reported cases. The pediatric version of this fracture is located in the proximal to midshaft humerus, distinguishing it from the adult type, which occurs in the middle to distal shaft.

Case Report

A 12-year-old male pitcher experienced a “snap” in his right arm while throwing a pitch in a baseball game. He presented to the Emergency Department with right arm pain and deformity. He was misdiagnosed with a right glenohumeral dislocation and a reduction maneuver was attempted prior to any radiographic imaging. Upon further review of the imaging and outpatient follow-up, he was found to have a humeral spiral fracture consistent with a “ball-thrower's fracture.” The fracture healed with conservative treatment and he returned to unrestricted sports participation.

Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?

Recognition of this fracture is important to avoid unnecessary and potentially harmful treatment of the pediatric patient. A thrower's fracture of the pediatric humerus is rare, but glenohumeral dislocation without direct trauma is even less common and has never been reported as a result of the throwing motion in a pediatric patient. Radiographic imaging is important, and consideration of the thrower's fracture should be in the differential for any patient presenting with acute pain and deformity of the arm resulting from throwing any object.

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