Case Reviews
Traumatic Distal-Third Humeral Fracture in a Collegiate Football Player

Athletic Training & Sports Health Care  Vol. 2   No. 1   January/February 2010

By Robert J. Casmus, MS, ATC

ABSTRACT

A collegiate football player complained of left elbow pain and loss of mobility after tackling an opponent. The initial diagnosis was posterior elbow dislocation, and traction force was applied. Persistent pain raised suspicion of a fracture, and radiographs indicated a distal humeral diaphyseal fracture. The athlete was placed in protective splinting and underwent open reduction and internal fixation. Rehabilitation to promote elbow range of motion was begun after callus formation.

AUTHOR

Mr Casmus is from the Department of Athletic Training, Catawba College, Salisbury, NC.

Originally submitted April 3, 2009.

Accepted for publication September 30, 2009.

The author has no financial or proprietary interest in the materials presented herein.

Address correspondence to Robert J. Casmus, MS, ATC, Department of Athletic Training, Catawba College, 2300 West Innes Street, Salisbury, NC 28144; e-mail: bcasmus@catawba.edu.

doi:10.3928/19425864-20091222-07