Non-Operative vs. Operative Treatment of Pediatric Proximal Humerus Fractures: Surgery Offers No Clinical or Economic Benefit, a Retrospective Study of 152 Children
Long-term outcomes of pediatric PHFs were uniformly excellent, regardless of fracture severity or treatment modality. Surgery did not improve recovery, function, or return to sport and was associated with higher costs and minor postoperative issues. Conservative management should remain the standard of care for nearly all pediatric PHFs, with surgery reserved for exceptional circumstances such as open fractures, neurovascular compromise, or failed closed reduction.
Authors
- Gino Rocca
- Cosma Caterina Guerra
- Giulia Alessandri (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1586-4090)
- Marina Magnani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2574-786X)
- Tosca Cerasoli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1111-5869)
- Tiziana Pianta
- Giovanni Trisolino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0361-9920)
- Marco Todisco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6627-5283)
- Grazia Chiara Menozzi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3216-8046)
- Marianna Viotto
- Giulio Maria Marcheggiani Marcheggiani Muccioli
Institutions
- Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Children
- Published
- 2025-12-31
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/children13010067
- Primary Topic
- Shoulder Injury and Treatment
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00