Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsProximal FracturesMid-Shaft FracturesDistal FracturesCausesSymptomsTreatmentComplicationsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Proximal Fractures
Mid-Shaft Fractures
Distal Fractures
Causes
Symptoms
Treatment
Complications
Frequently Asked Questions
Humerusfractures—breaks in the upper arm bone that connects the shoulder to the elbow—are generally divided into three types based where they occur.
This article explains these different types of humerus fractures. It also covers causes of humerus breaks, treatment options, as well as potential complications of these injuries.
Proximal Humerus Fractures
The top of the humerus is the ball part of theshoulder’s ball-and-socket joint. Breaks near it are consideredproximal humerus fractures.
These fractures may involve therotator cuff, a group of tissues that connect muscle to bone around the shoulder.
Mid-Shaft Humerus Fractures
Mid-shaft humerus fractures occur in the middle of the bone, away from the shoulder andelbow joints.
These fractures are commonly associated with injury to theradial nerve, which sends sensory and motor information. This bundle of fibers runs down the arm to the fingertips. Injury to it may cause symptoms in the wrist and hand.
Distal Humerus Fractures
Distal humerus fractures occur near the elbow joint. These fractures most often require surgical treatment unless the bones are held in proper position.
This type of fracture tends to impact assigned male teenagers more than any other population.
Verywell / Gary Ferster
Symptoms of Humerus Fractures
Symptoms will vary from person to person. However, possible symptoms of any type of humerus fracture include:
Did I Bruise My Bone or Break It?
Treating a Humerus Fracture
Motion-Limiting Devices
In some cases, individuals may be given aslingor brace to help their arm stay still so the fracture heals. This may be worn for weeks to months depending on how severe the break is.
An imaging test like anX-raymay be done every couple of weeks to make sure the fracture is healing properly.
Surgery
Surgery may be required when the bones are far out of position. Fractures that impact the joint are more likely to require surgery. Those near the top or the center of the bone less commonly require surgery.
Plates, screw, or pins may be used to get the bones back in place. In severe cases,shoulder replacement surgerymay be necessary. During this surgery some parts of the bones in the shoulder joint are replaced with artificial implants.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapymay be done to help reduce pain, increase strength, and restore movement. It may also help prevent the injured area from becoming too stiff.
Usually after a certain amount of time wearing a sling or brace, physical therapy may be introduced to help with the healing process. It may also be recommended as part of post-surgery recovery.
Yourphysical therapist, a licensed professional who is a movement expert, will give you various exercises to do. This may include some that you’ll need to do on your own at home.
Physical Therapy After Fracture
Potential Complications
There are some possible complications of a humerus fracture including:
Summary
A humerus fracture is a broken bone in the upper arm that connects the shoulder to the elbow. Types of humerus fractures include proximal (ball part of the shoulder joint), mid-shaft (middle of the bone), and distal (near the elbow joint).
Treatment may include surgery, motion-limiting devices, as well as physical therapy.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe proximal humerus, which is the area near the shoulder joint, is the most commonly injured part of the humerus.Learn MorePictures of Different FracturesAny type of fracture is considered serious. However, the severity of the fracture will vary from person to person.It can takes weeks to months for a humeral fracture to heal, depending on the severity.
The proximal humerus, which is the area near the shoulder joint, is the most commonly injured part of the humerus.Learn MorePictures of Different Fractures
The proximal humerus, which is the area near the shoulder joint, is the most commonly injured part of the humerus.
Learn MorePictures of Different Fractures
Any type of fracture is considered serious. However, the severity of the fracture will vary from person to person.
It can takes weeks to months for a humeral fracture to heal, depending on the severity.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Humerus fracture (upper arm fracture).Patel AH, Wilder JH, Ofa SA, et al.How age and gender influence proximal humerus fracture management in patients older than fifty years.JSES Int. 2021;6(2):253-258. doi:10.1016/j.jseint.2021.11.007Schwab TR, Stillhard PF, Schibli S, Furrer M, Sommer C.Radial nerve palsy in humeral shaft fractures with internal fixation: analysis of management and outcome.Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2018;44(2):235-243. doi:10.1007/s00068-017-0775-9Popkin CA, Rosenwasser KA, Ellis HB.Pediatric and adolescent t-type distal humerus fractures.J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2017;1(8):e040. doi:10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-17-00040Toepfer A, Lenze U, Pohlig F, von Eisenhart-Rothe R.Pathological fracture of the humerus. In: Biberthaler P, Kirchhoff C, Waddell JP, eds.Fractures of the Proximal Humerus. Springer International Publishing; 2015:133-152. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-20300-3_19Carroll EA, Schweppe M, Langfitt M, Miller AN, Halvorson JJ.Management of humeral shaft fractures.Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2012;20(7):423-433. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-20-07-423Orthopaedic Trauma Association.Proximal humerus fracture (broken shoulder).Hernigou J, Schuind F.Tobacco and bone fractures: a review of the facts and issues that every orthopaedic surgeon should know.Bone Joint Res. 2019;8(6):255-265. doi:10.1302/2046-3758.86.BJR-2018-0344.R1Michigan Medicine.Malunion fractures.Bumbasirevic M, Palibrk T, Lesic A, Atkinson HD.Radial nerve palsy.EFORT Open Rev. 2016;1(8):286-294. doi:10.1302/2058-5241.1.000028American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Distal humerus fractures of the elbow.Greiwe RM.Proximal humerus fractures. In:Shoulder and Elbow Trauma and Its Complications. Elsevier; 2015:83-112. doi:10.1016/B978-1-78242-449-9.00005-4
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Humerus fracture (upper arm fracture).Patel AH, Wilder JH, Ofa SA, et al.How age and gender influence proximal humerus fracture management in patients older than fifty years.JSES Int. 2021;6(2):253-258. doi:10.1016/j.jseint.2021.11.007Schwab TR, Stillhard PF, Schibli S, Furrer M, Sommer C.Radial nerve palsy in humeral shaft fractures with internal fixation: analysis of management and outcome.Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2018;44(2):235-243. doi:10.1007/s00068-017-0775-9Popkin CA, Rosenwasser KA, Ellis HB.Pediatric and adolescent t-type distal humerus fractures.J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2017;1(8):e040. doi:10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-17-00040Toepfer A, Lenze U, Pohlig F, von Eisenhart-Rothe R.Pathological fracture of the humerus. In: Biberthaler P, Kirchhoff C, Waddell JP, eds.Fractures of the Proximal Humerus. Springer International Publishing; 2015:133-152. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-20300-3_19Carroll EA, Schweppe M, Langfitt M, Miller AN, Halvorson JJ.Management of humeral shaft fractures.Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2012;20(7):423-433. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-20-07-423Orthopaedic Trauma Association.Proximal humerus fracture (broken shoulder).Hernigou J, Schuind F.Tobacco and bone fractures: a review of the facts and issues that every orthopaedic surgeon should know.Bone Joint Res. 2019;8(6):255-265. doi:10.1302/2046-3758.86.BJR-2018-0344.R1Michigan Medicine.Malunion fractures.Bumbasirevic M, Palibrk T, Lesic A, Atkinson HD.Radial nerve palsy.EFORT Open Rev. 2016;1(8):286-294. doi:10.1302/2058-5241.1.000028American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Distal humerus fractures of the elbow.Greiwe RM.Proximal humerus fractures. In:Shoulder and Elbow Trauma and Its Complications. Elsevier; 2015:83-112. doi:10.1016/B978-1-78242-449-9.00005-4
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Humerus fracture (upper arm fracture).Patel AH, Wilder JH, Ofa SA, et al.How age and gender influence proximal humerus fracture management in patients older than fifty years.JSES Int. 2021;6(2):253-258. doi:10.1016/j.jseint.2021.11.007Schwab TR, Stillhard PF, Schibli S, Furrer M, Sommer C.Radial nerve palsy in humeral shaft fractures with internal fixation: analysis of management and outcome.Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2018;44(2):235-243. doi:10.1007/s00068-017-0775-9Popkin CA, Rosenwasser KA, Ellis HB.Pediatric and adolescent t-type distal humerus fractures.J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2017;1(8):e040. doi:10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-17-00040Toepfer A, Lenze U, Pohlig F, von Eisenhart-Rothe R.Pathological fracture of the humerus. In: Biberthaler P, Kirchhoff C, Waddell JP, eds.Fractures of the Proximal Humerus. Springer International Publishing; 2015:133-152. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-20300-3_19Carroll EA, Schweppe M, Langfitt M, Miller AN, Halvorson JJ.Management of humeral shaft fractures.Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2012;20(7):423-433. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-20-07-423Orthopaedic Trauma Association.Proximal humerus fracture (broken shoulder).Hernigou J, Schuind F.Tobacco and bone fractures: a review of the facts and issues that every orthopaedic surgeon should know.Bone Joint Res. 2019;8(6):255-265. doi:10.1302/2046-3758.86.BJR-2018-0344.R1Michigan Medicine.Malunion fractures.Bumbasirevic M, Palibrk T, Lesic A, Atkinson HD.Radial nerve palsy.EFORT Open Rev. 2016;1(8):286-294. doi:10.1302/2058-5241.1.000028American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Distal humerus fractures of the elbow.Greiwe RM.Proximal humerus fractures. In:Shoulder and Elbow Trauma and Its Complications. Elsevier; 2015:83-112. doi:10.1016/B978-1-78242-449-9.00005-4
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Humerus fracture (upper arm fracture).
Patel AH, Wilder JH, Ofa SA, et al.How age and gender influence proximal humerus fracture management in patients older than fifty years.JSES Int. 2021;6(2):253-258. doi:10.1016/j.jseint.2021.11.007
Schwab TR, Stillhard PF, Schibli S, Furrer M, Sommer C.Radial nerve palsy in humeral shaft fractures with internal fixation: analysis of management and outcome.Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2018;44(2):235-243. doi:10.1007/s00068-017-0775-9
Popkin CA, Rosenwasser KA, Ellis HB.Pediatric and adolescent t-type distal humerus fractures.J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2017;1(8):e040. doi:10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-17-00040
Toepfer A, Lenze U, Pohlig F, von Eisenhart-Rothe R.Pathological fracture of the humerus. In: Biberthaler P, Kirchhoff C, Waddell JP, eds.Fractures of the Proximal Humerus. Springer International Publishing; 2015:133-152. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-20300-3_19
Carroll EA, Schweppe M, Langfitt M, Miller AN, Halvorson JJ.Management of humeral shaft fractures.Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2012;20(7):423-433. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-20-07-423
Orthopaedic Trauma Association.Proximal humerus fracture (broken shoulder).
Hernigou J, Schuind F.Tobacco and bone fractures: a review of the facts and issues that every orthopaedic surgeon should know.Bone Joint Res. 2019;8(6):255-265. doi:10.1302/2046-3758.86.BJR-2018-0344.R1
Michigan Medicine.Malunion fractures.
Bumbasirevic M, Palibrk T, Lesic A, Atkinson HD.Radial nerve palsy.EFORT Open Rev. 2016;1(8):286-294. doi:10.1302/2058-5241.1.000028
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Distal humerus fractures of the elbow.
Greiwe RM.Proximal humerus fractures. In:Shoulder and Elbow Trauma and Its Complications. Elsevier; 2015:83-112. doi:10.1016/B978-1-78242-449-9.00005-4
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