Humerus Fracture
A humerus fracture is a break in the upper arm bone. This may be anywhere in the bone, from the neck of the humerus (near the shoulder), to the distal end at the elbow. A form of fracture close to the elbow is known as a supracondylar fracture.
Symptoms
- Instant pain in the arm.
- Pain or difficulty moving the arm - either bending the elbow or raising the arm upwards.
- There may be deformity of the arm if the bone is displaced.
- Bruising and swelling are common.
- In compound fractures the bone pierces the skin.
Causes
A fracture is the same thing as a break. The two terms are completely interchangeable. A fracture can be either an acute fracture which occurs due to a direct impact or force, or a stress fracture which gradually develops over time. Stress fractures of the humerus are rare as it is not a weight bearing bone. They are more common in the bones of the legs and feet.
A rare form of fracture which is most commonly seen in throwing athletes (e.g. Javelin or baseball etc) involves a spiral fracture to the mid shaft of the bone, just below the attachment of the deltoid muscle.
A fracture to the humerus will most often occur as a result of a fall, often onto an outstretched arm. Car accidents may also cause a humerus fracture.
Treatment of Humerus Fractures
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- An X-ray will be ordered to confirm the fracture and assess the presence or amount of displacement.
- The arm will usually be placed in a temporary cast or splint whilst swelling goes down.
- A full cast is then fitted 2-3 days later and stays in place for 4-8 weeks.
If the two ends of the bone are displaced, or the bone is broken into more than 2 parts, surgery may be required. This will be used to realign the bone and fix the 2 (or more) parts using pins or wires, whilst the bone heals.
