Proximal humeral epiphyseal plate fracture in a collegiate track and field decathlete: a case study.

OBJECTIVE To present the case of an 18-year-old collegiate decathlete with a Salter-Harris type I epiphyseal plate fracture of the proximal humerus. BACKGROUND A collegiate decathlete was playing flag football and fell on an outstretched arm. He was taken to the emergency room and diagnosed with a type I epiphyseal plate fracture. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS AC sprain, dislocation or subluxation, rotator cuff tear, labral tear. TREATMENT Active and passive range of motion exercises were completed after two days of immobilization. He then started strengthening exercises and returned to competitive activity in 10 weeks. UNIQUENESS Proximal humeral epiphyseal plate fractures are uncommon injuries, especially in athletes over the age of 15. CONCLUSIONS If an accurate diagnosis is made, an appropriate conservative rehabilitation program can be implemented to safely return an athlete to participation without permanent deformity following a type I Salter-Harris fracture.