Humerus fracture is a break of the humerus bone in the upper arm. There are three main bones in the arm: humerus, radius and ulna. The humerus is located in the upper arm, in the area between the shoulder and the elbow. The radius and ulna are located in the forearm, in the area between the elbow and the wrist. Humerus fractures are classified by the location into proximal region, which is near the shoulder, the middle region or shaft, and the distal region, which is near the elbow.
The most common cause of humerus fracture is direct trauma, or a fall on an outstretched arm. Participation in sports or other high impact activities can also cause humerus fracture.
Fractures are acute injuries (occur suddenly) therefore symptoms can often be noticed immediately following injury.
• Sudden, sharp pain in the upper arm
• Swelling and tenderness at the site of injury
• Bruising
• Visible deformity of the bones in the upper arm
• Inability to move the upper arm without pain
In the event that an individual suspects they may have sustained humerus fracture, a radiographic evaluation (X-Ray) will be essential to a proper diagnosis. A bone can fracture in different ways, causing complications or secondary conditions that your physician will look for. Conditions that can be related to humerus fracture include:
• Comminuted fracture: a bone that is broken in several pieces
• Dislocation: a bone that is not properly aligned in the correct joint (elbow, or shoulder)
• Greenstick fracture: a fracture on only one side of a bone (commonly seen in children)
• Malunion: when the bone heals in the improper position
• Nonunion: when the ends of the broken bone do not fuse together properly
• Growth plate injury: in children, areas at the ends of bones (near the joint) are responsible for growing the bone as the child develops. If the growth plate is injured in the event of humerus fracture, it is essential to future development to ensure that the growth plate is realigned and heals properly.
The most common course of treatment for humerus fracture is realignment (referred to as reducing the fracture) and casting to immobilize the joint, and give the bones time to heal. For some humerus fractures, a sling may be more appropriate for immobilization than a cast.
For more severe fractures, surgery may be needed to realign the bones properly. Pins, screws, or wires may be used to hold the bones properly in place. How much movement should be restricted following the fracture will depend on the severity of the break.
Once cleared by the physician, a physical therapy program should be initiated to reverse the effects of immobilization and restore arm motion. In more involved fractures recovery can take more time. Formal therapy and compliance with an extensive home program is essential to restoring function of the arm.
Post humerus fracture immobilization can have detrimental effects that can be improved through physical therapy. These effects include:
• Joint articular cartilage softening
• Shortening and atrophy of musculotendinous units
• Decreased circulation
• Loss of active and passive motion
• Weakness
Goals for Physical Therapy
Post-fracture immobilization of the shoulder or elbow is optimal loading and restoration of normal tissue relationships to improve motion, strength and the ability to perform functional activities of daily living.
• Manual Therapeutic Technique (MTT): hands on care including soft tissue massage, and joint mobilization by a physical therapist to modulate pain and reduce any soft tissue or tendon irritation and restore normal joint mechanics and range of motion.
• Therapeutic Exercises (TE) including exercises to improve strength and performance of the arm bones and surrounding muscles.
• Neuromuscular Reeducation (NMR) to restore stability, begin retraining the upper extremity, improve proximal joint stability and improve movement technique and mechanics (for example: throwing, lifting etc) in use of the involved upper extremity in daily activities.
• Modalities that can include the use of ultrasound, electrical stimulation, ice, cold and laser to decrease pain, improve mobility and reduce inflammation of the arm and surrounding muscles and tendons.
• Home program development should include strengthening, stretching and stabilization exercises as well as instructions to help the person perform daily tasks and advance to the next functional level.
Most fractures can be diagnosed with X-Ray studies and when necessary a CAT Scan. The use of pain medications, immobilization, rest and ice are the first line of treatment. Surgical intervention may be required in more severe fractures or those injuries that affect the integrity of one of the joints (elbow, or shoulder.)
Prognosis
Rate of recovery and the prognosis from humerus fracture will depend on a number of factors:
• Severity – Minor fractures do well with immobilization and physical therapy, while fractures that are more severe and require surgery or effect joint integrity take longer to heal. Patients may have residual motion and strength deficits.
• Age- Younger individuals recover faster and are less likely to have residual deficits. Younger individuals heal quicker, have better circulation, are stronger and usually have better pre-injury tissue integrity.
• Prior activity level plays an important role in post-injury recovery. Those who exercise regularly are stronger and more flexible, and generally have an easier and more complete recovery.
• Compliance- Patients that are committed to their rehabilitation program and are compliant with their home program are more successful in returning to full function.
