A Comminuted Spiral Fracture with Butterfly Fragment of Distal Humerus by Arm Wrestling -A Case Report-

Article information

Kosin Med J. 2012;27(1):57-60

Publication date (electronic) : 2012 June 11

doi : https://doi.org/10.7180/kmj.2012.27.1.57

Gun Woo Lee , Jung-Hwan Son , Tae-Hun Kim

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Kosin University, Busan, Korea.

Corresponding Author: Jung-Hwan Son, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Kosin University, 34 Amnam-dong, Seo-gu, Busan, 602-702, Korea. TEL: 051) 990-6467, FAX: 051) 243-0181, junghson@dreamwiz.com

Received 2012 January 12; Revised 2012 April 09; Accepted 2012 April 30.

Abstract

The fracture of the humerus during arm wrestling are uncommon, but may occur in the shaft or medial condyle. In the shaft of humerus, the fractures are usually spiral and between the middle and distal third, with or without neurological involvement. A case of a comminuted spiral fracture with butterfly fragment of the distal third of the humerus is reported which had occurred during arm wrestling and was treated by open reduction and internal fixation. The possible mechanism of injury and the question of treatment are discussed.

Keywords: Arm wrestling; Distal humerus; Fracture

References

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Article information Continued

Fig. 1

Initial radiographs of comminuted spiral fracture with butterfly fragment in distal humerus due to arm wrestling in a 22-year-old man.

Fig. 2

Postoperative radiographs shows precise reduction and stable fixation with plate and wiring.

Fig. 3

Follow-up radiographs 6 months after operation shows well healing without complication.

Fig. 4

In 1.6 years postoperatively, plate and wire was removed. And well-healed fracture site was observed.