Have you broken your upper arm bone? Let's talk about (Humerus Fracture)!

Oh my! Does your arm hurt? Maybe after a fall or an accident, have you experienced severe pain and swelling in your upper arm, making it impossible to move it? If so, you may have a `(Humerus Fracture )`, which is a fracture of the upper arm bone. Don't worry, let's talk about this in detail and very simply.

What is this `(Humerus Fracture)`? Let's understand it simply!

Okay, first let's see what this bone called `(Humerus)` is. It's the upper part of your arm from your shoulder to your elbow, and that's the only long bone we have there, the `(Humerus)`. So, when this bone breaks, when it breaks, doctors call it `(Humerus Fracture)`. This is not as common as you might think, but it can be a bit serious if it happens.

Most of the time, these types of fractures occur due to accidents (traumas). Think of a car accident, a fall from a height, etc. It is at times like these that even this strong bone can break.

If you break your humerus, you may need surgery to repair it. But not everyone needs surgery. Some people can get by with a splint, cast, or sling. However, you will need physical therapy to regain full use of your arm.

Are there different types of fractures?

Yes, your doctor will classify your broken bone based on how it is broken. This classification is very important in determining the treatment. Let's look at some of the main types.

Types according to how they are broken:

What we're looking at here is what the `break line` looks like.

• Transverse fracture: A transverse break in the bone.
• Oblique fracture: A fracture of the bone at an angle.
• Spiral fracture: A fracture in which the bone breaks in a spiral, like a spiral. This often happens when the arm is twisted.
• Segmental fracture: A bone that breaks in at least two places, with a piece in the middle separated .
• Comminuted fracture: A fracture in which the bone is broken into several pieces. This is a bit more complicated.
• (Impacted fracture): When the broken bone pieces have pushed one into the other.
• (Buckle fracture / Torus fracture): This is more common in young children. The bone does not break completely, but rather bends slightly inward on one side.
• (Hairline fracture / Crack): Just a small line break in the bone.

Types according to the way the break occurred:

• Stress fracture: A small break in the bone caused by repeated pressure or strain on the same spot. This can happen to athletes.
• Avulsion fracture: A small piece of bone breaks away from where a muscle or tendon attaches to the bone.

A special type of fracture near the elbow: `(Supracondylar humerus fractures)`

If the bone in your upper arm breaks just above the elbow, it's called a ``supracondylar fracture.'' This is most common in young children . It usually happens when a child falls with their arm outstretched and puts weight on the ground. Doctors diagnose and treat this, just like any other fracture.

Open or closed? (`Open vs. closed fractures`)

This is also a very important classification.

• (Open fracture): This is when the broken bone breaks through the skin and protrudes. This is a bit dangerous because it increases the risk of infection and takes longer to heal.
• (Closed fracture): Here the bone breaks, but the skin is not broken. This is also serious, but there is not as much risk of infection as an `open fracture`.

Are the bone fragments displaced? (`Displaced humerus fractures`)

The doctor will also tell you whether your fracture is `displaced` or `non-displaced`.

• Displaced fracture: This means that when the bone breaks, the two pieces have shifted, leaving a large gap between them. They are out of place. These types of fractures often require surgery to fix properly.
• (Non-displaced fracture): The bone is broken, but the pieces haven't moved around too much, and are still in place.

Where can the upper arm bone (`Humerus`) be broken?

Your doctor will also talk about the exact location of the broken bone. They use special words for this.

• Location (`Location - proximal and distal`): These two words tell you where along the bone the fracture is.
• (Proximal): This is the top end of the bone, the part closest to the shoulder . So, a `proximal humerus fracture` means that the bone in your upper arm is broken at the point where it connects to the shoulder.
• (Distal): This refers to the lower end of the bone, which is the part closest to the elbow . A `Distal humerus fracture` means that the bone breaks at the elbow.
• Anatomy: Even though your bone is one piece, it has different parts that can break. The humerus is divided into a head (the upper part near the shoulder), a shaft (the middle part like a rod), and a distal aspect (the lower part near the elbow). Doctors use terms like surgical neck and greater tuberosity to describe the exact location of the bone damage. You don't need to know much about these, but they are important to the doctor.

Who gets these types of fractures? How common are they?

Actually, a humerus fracture is something that can happen to anyone, just like other bone fractures. Because these are often caused by serious accidents, we can't predict when, how, or to whom an accident will happen.

However, humerus fractures are not that common . Of all other fractures, less than 10% are humerus fractures.

Most often, the humerus bone breaks at the top, closer to the shoulder (proximal humerus fracture), rather than at the bottom, closer to the elbow (distal humerus fracture).

What are the symptoms of a `Humerus Fracture`?

If you have a humerus fracture, you may experience symptoms like:

• Severe pain (`Pain`)
• Swelling
• Tenderness ( pain when touched or pressed)
• Inability to shake hands normally
• Bruising or discoloration of the skin
• A deformity or bump on the hand that is not normal

The most important thing is that if your humerus bone breaks, there is a possibility that other tissues around it may also be damaged.

This may include:

• Muscles : Your biceps (front muscle) and triceps (back muscle).
• Nerves: Your three main nerves, the median nerve, ulnar nerve, and radial nerve, are all connected to the humerus bone. If these are damaged, they can cause loss of sensation and movement in the hand.
• Blood supply : Your brachial artery (main blood vessel) and vein.

What are the causes of `Humerus Fracture`?

As mentioned earlier, these are often caused by accidents (traumas) . The humerus is one of the strongest bones in the body. It takes a great deal of force to break it.

There are several main reasons:

• Car accidents
• Falls - especially from a height, or falling over your hand.
• Sports injuries - can occur in sports that involve contact.

If your bones are weakened due to a condition like osteoporosis , you are more likely to break a bone.

Let's learn a little about `Osteoporosis`

` Osteoporosis`` This weakens the bones, and then they can break suddenly and unexpectedly. Many people only find out they have ``Osteoporosis`` after they break a bone. This is because it doesn't have any noticeable symptoms at first.

After the age of 50, women, especially, are at higher risk of developing osteoporosis. Therefore, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor about getting a bone density screening. This can help detect the condition before a bone breaks.

How to recognize a `Humerus Fracture`?

Your doctor will check for a humerus fracture with a physical exam and imaging tests . If you are admitted to the hospital emergency department after an accident, these tests may be done there.

When you go to the emergency room, a medical team will stabilize you and treat you according to the severity of your injuries, especially if you have life-threatening injuries. Once you are stabilized, imaging tests will be performed to confirm the fracture.

What tests are done to diagnose a `Humerus Fracture`?

One or more of these tests may be done to take pictures of the fracture:

• X-rays: An X-ray can confirm any fractures and can also show how much damage has been done to the bones. This is the first test done.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): An MRI may be performed if your doctor wants to get a complete picture of the damage to your bones and the tissues around them. This can also look for damage to the muscles, tendons, and nerves that surround the bones.
• CT scan: A CT scan can give your doctor or surgeon a much more detailed picture of your bones and surrounding tissue than an X-ray. This is especially important for complex fractures, such as comminuted fractures.

How to treat a `Humerus Fracture`?

The treatment for your fracture will depend on what type it is, what caused it, and how much damage has been done to your bones .

Immobilization of the hand

If your fracture is not too severe, that is, it is `non-displaced` (the pieces of bone have not moved), you may be able to heal with just a `splint` or a `cast` . A `splint` usually lasts for about three to five weeks. A `cast` lasts longer, usually six to eight weeks. In both cases, your doctor will take another `X-ray` to make sure your bone is healing properly.

You may also need to use a sling to keep your shoulder and arm in place, especially if the humerus bone is broken at the proximal end.

Manual preparation (`Closed Reduction`)

For more severe fractures, a procedure called ``Closed Reduction'' is used to bring the broken bone pieces back into place. This is not surgery. The doctor will hold your arm from the outside, pull, and push to realign the broken bone pieces inside. While doing this, you will not feel any pain and will do one of the following:

• Injecting a numbing medicine around the fracture site (local anesthetic).
• Giving medicine to calm the whole body (`Sedatives`).
• You will be put to sleep (`General anesthesia`) throughout the entire procedure.

After performing a closed reduction, the doctor will put a splint or cast on your arm.

Surgery for `Humerus Fracture` (`Humerus fracture surgery`)

Some humerus fractures require surgery. Depending on the type of fracture and how much damage has been done to the bone, your surgeon may use different methods.

Internal fixation

The surgeon will `set` your broken bone pieces back into place, fixing them in place, so that the bones can heal and come back together. Most often, they will do something called `internal fixation`. This means that the surgeon will insert metal pieces (`metal`) inside your bone to hold it in place . You will need to limit the use of your hand until the bone is completely healed.

There are several methods of `internal fixation`:

• Rods: A metal rod inserted through the bone, from top to bottom.
• Plates and screws: Metal plates that are attached to the bone to hold the bone pieces together.
• Pins and wires: These are used where there are smaller bone fragments than other fixation devices. They are often placed in conjunction with rods or plates.

Some people live with these metal pieces in their bodies. Some people have to have surgery again to remove them.

Joint replacement (`Arthroplasty`)

If you have a broken elbow or shoulder joint, you may need to have an arthroplasty (joint replacement). The surgeon removes the damaged joint and replaces it with an artificial joint. This artificial joint (prosthesis) may be made of metal, ceramic, or strong plastic. The new joint will look and move just like your natural joint.

Bone grafting

If your humerus fracture is very displaced, or if the bones don't fit together properly, you may need to have a bone graft. The surgeon will insert extra bone tissue to put your broken bone back together. Then, they will perform an internal fixation to hold the pieces together until the bone grows back. There are several places where a bone graft can be taken:

• From somewhere else on your own body - most often on the top of your hip bone.
• From another donor (`external donor`).
• An artificial replacement piece.

After your surgery, your arm will be immobilized. You may need to wear a splint, cast, or sling before you can use your arm again.

What are the medications given for `Humerus Fracture`?

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen, which are used to relieve pain, can cause bleeding and other complications after surgery. Therefore, your surgeon will tell you about medications you can take to reduce pain after surgery.

Side effects of NSAIDs: Bleeding, stomach ulcers, stomach cramps, intestinal problems.

What are the complications of Humerus Fracture treatment?

Surgery for a fracture can cause complications such as:

• Acute compartment syndrome (ACS): Increased pressure inside your muscles can cut off blood flow to the tissues, causing permanent muscle and nerve damage. This is an emergency.
• Malunion: The process by which a broken bone does not fit together properly when it heals.
• Nonunion: The failure of bones to come back together completely and properly.
• Bone infection (Osteomyelitis): If you have an open fracture (one where the bone has broken through the skin), you are at higher risk of developing a bacterial infection.
• Other damage to surrounding tissues: Fractures can damage the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, tendons, and ligaments in the area of ​​injury.

How quickly will I feel better after treatment?

It may take several weeks for your symptoms to subside. Depending on the immobilization method or surgery used to repair your fracture, you may be able to start using your arm again in a few weeks.

Important: If you have severe pain that is unbearable and does not subside, call your doctor immediately.

How to reduce the risk of a `Humerus Fracture`?

Follow these general safety tips to reduce the risk of injury:

• Always wear your seat belt .
• Wear appropriate safety equipment for every activity or sport you do.
• Keep your home and workplace free of objects that could cause you or others to fall .
• Always use the right tools or equipment to reach things from above. Never climb on chairs, tables, or counters.
• Follow a diet and exercise plan that helps keep your bones healthy.
• If you are over 50 or if someone in your family has osteoporosis, talk to your doctor about getting a bone density test .
• If you have difficulty walking or are at high risk of fallingUse a cane or walker .

What to expect if you have a `Humerus Fracture`?

Even if you break your humerus, you can expect to make a full recovery . However, you will need physical therapy to regain strength and range of motion in your arm.

How long does it take for a `Humerus Fracture` to heal?

The time it takes for you to recover will depend on the severity of your fracture and the treatment you received. Most people take several months to recover from a humerus fracture.

There are many factors that can affect how quickly your body heals. Talk to your doctor or surgeon about a time frame that is right for your situation.

Will I be unable to go to work or school?

Your specific injury and which bones are broken will determine how long you will need to stay away from work, school, and other activities. While you are healing, talk to your surgeon or doctor before engaging in any physical activity or sports again.

When should I go to the emergency room?

If you think you have a humerus fracture - or any other broken bone - you should see a doctor as soon as possible . Go to the emergency room immediately if you have one or more of these symptoms:

• Severe pain.
• You can't shake hands normally.
• Your hand looks different or out of place.
• You can see the bone through the skin.
• Swelling.
• Along with these other features, new bruises are visible.

If you have been in an accident, go to the emergency room immediately.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

When you meet the doctor, don't forget to ask questions like these:

• What kind of fracture do I have?
• Do I need surgery?
• How long will it take to heal?
• When will I be able to engage in physical activity or sports again?

Finally, remember this ! (Take-Home Message)

The humerus bone in your upper arm is the only bone in that part of your body, and it's one of the strongest bones in your body. A humerus fracture usually occurs after a serious accident, such as a car accident. Even if you have surgery to repair your bone, you can expect to make a full recovery after a humerus fracture . Proper physical therapy is the best way to heal quickly and get your arm back to normal. So, don't panic, just follow your doctor's instructions. I wish you a speedy recovery!

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