J Korean Fract Soc.  2012 Oct;25(4):327-330. 10.12671/jkfs.2012.25.4.327.

Humerus Shaft Fractures in Leisure Sport 'Flyfish Riding': 4 Cases Report

• Lee BG
• Park KC
• Choi YH
• Jung WS
• Hwang KT

• KMID: 1434075
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2012.25.4.327

Abstract

A fracture of the humeral shaft can occur by direct or indirect injury. Most occur as a result of direct injury mechanisms such as falls from a height, direct blows, and traffic accidents. Recently, the population enjoying watersports for leisure is increasing and 'flyfish riding', in which passengers ride an inflatable raft drawn by a motorboat, may cause humeral shaft fracture as twisting and axial compression forces occur on the humeral shaft while boarding. Accordingly, the incidence of humeral shaft fracture is expected to increase as more people are expected to enjoy leisure sport activities such as 'flyfish riding'. We report 4 cases of humeral fracture that occurred during this activity in the year 2011.

Keyword

Humerus Fracture; Leisure sport; Flyfish

MeSH Terms

Accidents, Traffic
Humeral Fractures
Humerus
Incidence
Leisure Activities
Sports

Figure

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  Fig. 1 (A) A largeinflatable raft (flyfish) is connected to a motorboat by rope. When the motor boat increases its speed, the flyfish floats over the water. (B) Flyfish riders hold on to strips in a position of 90° flexion of the elbow and 45° external rotation and mild degrees of abduction of the shoulder.

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  Fig. 2 Anteroposterior radiographs show distal 1/3 humerus spiral fracture with butterfly fragment in all cases.

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  Fig. 3 (A) Preoperative radiograph shows distal 1/3 humerus spiral fracture with butterfly fragment. (B) Immediate postoperative radiograph shows interfragmentary fixation with 1 cortical screw and plate fixation. (C) Ten weeks after surgery, complete bone union is noted on anteroposterior radiograph.

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  Fig. 4 Internal rotator of the arm and flexor of the elbow may generate twisting and axial compression forces on the humerus. These forces may cause the humeral spiral fracture with butterfly fragment.

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