Fracture
Epidemiology
Young men
Aetiology
FOOSH
- axial load, dorsiflexion and radial deviation
DISI occurs in ulna deviation
Herbert Classification
Type A Stable acute fracture
A1 Tubercle
Young men
FOOSH
- axial load, dorsiflexion and radial deviation
DISI occurs in ulna deviation
Type A Stable acute fracture
A1 Tubercle
Pain & Stiffness
- often more pain than FT tears
Bursal side tears more painful than articular
Articular side more common
May see in young patient overhead throwing
Painful arc
Impingement signs
No weakness
- function good

Most common tumour of hand
F > M
2nd - 4th decade
Unknown
Trauma
Mucoid degeneration of collagen tissue
Synovial herniation

Usually a direct blow
- less commonly a fall on the outstretched hand
RTA / sporting accidents commonest causes
Can be pathological as a result of radionecrosis
- eg following radiotherapy for breast cancer.
Fractures of the clavicle are common
Full thickness tear (FTT)
- variable amount retraction from insertion


Partial thickness tear (PTT)
- incomplete
- bursal or articular sided
Dominant arm of middle aged men
- between 40 and 60
Sudden dramatic event
- sporting / weightlifting injury
- resisting heavy extension load
Degenerative changes seen on histology
Complete
- retracted / rupture of lacertus fibrosis
- minimally retracted
Average age 6 years
20% distal humeral fracture
- second most common elbow fracture after supracondylar
Pull Off
- more common
- fracture begins posterolateral metaphysis
- LCL, ECRL & ECRB attached to fragment
Push off
- varus force to extended EJ

Age 0 - 5
- Salter Harris I
Age 5 - 11
- Salter Harris II
III / IV rare
Great remodelling potential
- 80% growth of humerus from proximal physis
Shoulder ROM compensatory
Age
- even older adolescents do well
Acceptable reduction
- varus / valgus < 5o
- anterior / posterior < 5o
- rotation 5o
- shortening 10 mm
Poor remodelling potential
- valgus
- apex posterior angulation / recurvatum
- rotational alignment does not remodel
- shortening / in 2-10 year old average overgrowth is only 5mm
Type I: Undisplaced avulsion fracture
Type II: Anterior portion displaced & hinged

Type IIIA: Displaced
Type IIIB: Displaced & Rotated