, I HUMAN CASE WEEK #9 16 YEAR OLD MALE,
REASON FOR ENCOUNTER: HAND PAIN NEWEST CASE 2026
Executive Summary
A 16-year-old male presents to the emergency department with
acute-onset right-hand pain following a sporting injury. This
case illustrates the critical importance of a systematic, age-
appropriate approach to musculoskeletal trauma in
adolescents. Through a structured primary and secondary
survey, focused physical examination, and targeted diagnostic
imaging, the care team identified a Salter-Harris Type II
fracture of the proximal phalanx of the fifth digit—a common
yet often missed injury in the skeletally immature patient. The
case highlights the intersection of sports medicine, pediatric
orthopedics, and emergency care, emphasizing the need
for growth plate assessment, proper immobilization, and
adolescent-specific communication to ensure optimal
functional recovery and prevent long-term complications.
1. Patient Introduction & Demographics
Age: 16 years, 4 months
Sex: Male
Race/Ethnicity: Optional
Occupation: High School Student
REASON FOR ENCOUNTER: HAND PAIN NEWEST CASE 2026
Executive Summary
A 16-year-old male presents to the emergency department with
acute-onset right-hand pain following a sporting injury. This
case illustrates the critical importance of a systematic, age-
appropriate approach to musculoskeletal trauma in
adolescents. Through a structured primary and secondary
survey, focused physical examination, and targeted diagnostic
imaging, the care team identified a Salter-Harris Type II
fracture of the proximal phalanx of the fifth digit—a common
yet often missed injury in the skeletally immature patient. The
case highlights the intersection of sports medicine, pediatric
orthopedics, and emergency care, emphasizing the need
for growth plate assessment, proper immobilization, and
adolescent-specific communication to ensure optimal
functional recovery and prevent long-term complications.
1. Patient Introduction & Demographics
Age: 16 years, 4 months
Sex: Male
Race/Ethnicity: Optional
Occupation: High School Student
