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    Humerus Fracture

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    helmi
    The humerus is the long bone of the upper arm that extends from the shoulder to elbow. There are three types of humerus fractures depending on the location of the break: proximal near the shoulder, mid-shaft in the middle, and distal near the elbow. Causes include overstretching the arm, high-impact collisions, and bone diseases. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and deformity. Treatment options are nonsurgical immobilization or surgical open reduction and internal fixation to realign the bones. Complications can include nonunion, malunion, nerve damage, and joint stiffness.

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    Humerus Fracture

    Uploaded by

    helmi
    200 views9 pages
    The humerus is the long bone of the upper arm that extends from the shoulder to elbow. There are three types of humerus fractures depending on the location of the break: proximal near the shoulder, mid-shaft in the middle, and distal near the elbow. Causes include overstretching the arm, high-impact collisions, and bone diseases. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and deformity. Treatment options are nonsurgical immobilization or surgical open reduction and internal fixation to realign the bones. Complications can include nonunion, malunion, nerve damage, and joint stiffness.

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    The humerus is the long bone of the upper arm that extends from the shoulder to elbow. There are three types of humerus fractures depending on the location of the break: proximal near the shoulder, mid-shaft in the middle, and distal near the elbow. Causes include overstretching the arm, high-impact collisions, and bone diseases. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and deformity. Treatment options are nonsurgical immobilization or surgical open reduction and internal fixation to realign the bones. Complications can include nonunion, malunion, nerve damage, and joint stiffness.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    200 views9 pages

    Humerus Fracture

    Uploaded by

    helmi
    The humerus is the long bone of the upper arm that extends from the shoulder to elbow. There are three types of humerus fractures depending on the location of the break: proximal near the shoulder, mid-shaft in the middle, and distal near the elbow. Causes include overstretching the arm, high-impact collisions, and bone diseases. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and deformity. Treatment options are nonsurgical immobilization or surgical open reduction and internal fixation to realign the bones. Complications can include nonunion, malunion, nerve damage, and joint stiffness.

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    of 9

    Fracture of Humerus

    The humerus is the long bone of your upper arm. It extends from your
    shoulder to your elbow, where it joins with the ulna and radius bones of
    your forearm.
    The pain from a humerus fracture often extends to shoulder or elbow,
    depending on where the break is, and recovery may last several weeks.
    Types
    • There are three types of humerus fracture, depending on the location
    of the break:
    1. Proximal. A proximal humerus fracture is a break in the upper part
    of your humerus near your shoulder.
    2. Mid-shaft. A mid-shaft humerus fracture is a break in the middle of
    your humerus.
    3. Distal. Distal humerus fractures occur near your elbow. This type is
    usually part of a more complex elbow injury and sometimes involves
    loose bone fragments.
    Causes
    • Overstretched arm can cause mid-shaft and proximal humerus
    fractures.
    • A high-impact collision such as a car accident or football tackle, is
    more likely to cause a distal humerus fracture.
    • Things that can cause pathologic humerus fractures include:
    • osteoporosis
    • bone cancer
    • bone cysts or tumors
    Sign and Symptom
    • pain is immediate, enduring, and exacerbated with the slightest
    movements.
    • swelling with bruising appearing a day or two after the fracture.
    • discoloration of the skin at the site of the fracture.
    • A crackling or rattling sound may also be present caused by the
    fractured humerus pressing against itself.
    • loss of control or sensation in the arm below the fracture if nerve
    affected.
    • diminished pulse at the wrist if fracture affect blood supply.
    • Displaced fractures of the humerus shaft will often cause deformity
    and a shortening length of the upper arm.
    Nonsurgical Treatment

    • Immobilization by wearing a sling and with time the fracture will heal.
    Casting is not possible with most types of humerus fractures
    • Pain control. Physicians will often prescribe NSAIDs such as ibuprofen
    during the healing process.
    • Range-of-motion exercises. Gentle range-of-motion exercises may begin
    7 to 10 days after injury.
    • Physical therapy. Physical therapy can start 2 to 3 weeks after the injury
    occurs.
    Surgical Treatment

    • Open reduction and internal fixation.


    Internal fixation - method of physically reconnecting the bones. This
    method uses special screws, plates, wires, or nails to align the bones
    correctly. This prevents the bones from healing abnormally.
    open reduction - reposition the pieces of your fractured bone surgically
    so that your bones are back in their proper alignment.
    Nursing Management
    1. Monitor 5P (pain, pulse, pallor, paresthesia, paralysis) on the
    affected extremity.
    2. Rest patient in bed.
    3. If patient cannot elevate the fracture part, administer cold
    compress followed by hot compress to reduce edema.
    4. Administer pain medication such as acetaminophen to relieve the
    pain.
    5. Check patient temperature regularly to detect early sign of
    infection.
    6. Encourage patient to exercise the elbow, wrist and fingers to
    prevent the part getting stiffness. Vigorous activity is limited for 3
    months.
    7. Educate patient proper way to use the arm sling.
    8. Emphasise patient about the follow up. Patient need to see doctor
    regularly until the fracture heals. During these visits, doctor will
    take x-rays to make sure the bone is healing in a good position.
    Complication

    1. Nonunion
    2. Malunion
    3. Nerve injury
    4. Shoulder or elbow stiffness or weakness

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