"Floating arm" injury in a child with fractures of the proximal and distal parts of the humerus: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Simultaneous supracondylar humerus fracture and ipsilateral fracture of the proximal humerus in children is rare.


METHODS
A 10-year-old Turkish boy with an extension type supracondylar humerus fracture and ipsilateral fracture at the proximal metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction of the humerus was treated by closed reduction and percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation. Closed reduction was performed using a Kirschner wire as a "joystick" to manipulate the humeral shaft after some swelling occurred around the elbow and shoulder.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of fractures at the proximal and distal parts of the humerus can be termed as "floating arm" injury. Initial treatment of this unusual injury should be focused on the supracondylar humerus fracture. However, closed reduction can be difficult to perform with the swelling around the elbow and shoulder. A temporary Kirschner wire can be used as a "joystick" to fix and reduce the fracture.
Güven
Melih
M
Akman
Budak
B
Kormaz
Tanzer
T
Poyanlı
Oğuz
O
Altıntaş
Faik
F