Management of ‘floating arm’: a case report of adolescent ipsilateral proximal humerus fracture with open distal complex intraarticular fracture

Abstract

Abstract Simultaneous ipsilateral fractures of the proximal and distal humerus, known as ‘floating arm’, are rarely seen in adolescents and are considered challenging to manage. Most of the published cases have involved proximal humerus and distal supracondylar fractures. This paper presents a special case of floating arm injury in a 14-year-old boy following a motor vehicle accident that was managed in a well-established trauma center. The injury consisted of displaced proximal humerus and open distal T-condylar intraarticular fractures. The patient was discharged in good condition and regained functionality with no reported complications.