Did you know these things about your upper arm bone (Humerus)?

How much do we do with our hands every day? Lifting something, writing, eating, hugging someone... We can't do all of this without our hands, right? But we don't think much about the main bone that helps these two hands move, from the shoulder to the elbow. That's the hero we're going to talk about today. We call this bone the humerus.

Simply put, what is this humerus?

The humerus is the bone in your upper arm. It's the long bone between your shoulder and elbow. In fact, it's the longest bone in the body, apart from the bones in our legs. It's essential for the movement of our arms. It's also where many of the important muscles, tendons, ligaments and parts of the vascular system in our arms are attached.

So if there is any damage to this bone, especially a fracture, it can greatly affect the function of our entire hand.

What are the main functions of this bone?

The humerus bone performs a very important function in our body.

• Helping you move your hand: This bone is the basis for all movements of your hand, such as bending, extending, and rotating it.
• Muscle attachment: About 13 muscles in your upper arm are attached to this bone.
• Stabilizing the rest of the hand: This bone is very important for the stability and strength of the entire hand, from the elbow to the fingers.

Where is this bone located? What is its shape?

This is very easy to understand. The humerus is the only bone in your upper arm that runs from your shoulder to your elbow.

In terms of its shape, the upper part, which is the part that connects to the shoulder, is round like a ball. This ball-like part is what goes into the socket of the shoulder and forms a joint. The middle part is like a long stick. The lower part, which is the part that forms the elbow, is a little flat.

In medical terms, doctors call this single bone into several parts. If you have a pain or a fracture in your hand, these names help them tell you exactly where the damage is. Let's learn a little about that.

Common diseases and injuries affecting the humerus bone

There are several issues that affect this strong bone. The main ones are these.

1. Fractures (Humerus Fractures)

This is a common problem. This bone can break due to an accident, a fall, or another injury while playing sports. If this happens, you may experience symptoms such as:

• Severe pain
• Swelling of the hand
• Pain when touching the hand
• Inability to move the arm normally
• Bruising or skin discoloration
• If you see an unnatural lump or change in shape on your hand

2. Osteoporosis

This is a word that many people have heard. Simply put, it means that with age, cavities form inside the bones, making them weak and easily breakable. Many people only find out they have osteoporosis after breaking a bone, even from a minor fall. It doesn't show any specific symptoms at first.

This condition is especially dangerous for women and people over the age of 50. If you think you may be at risk, talk to your doctor about getting a bone density test.

3. Damage to nerves and muscles

When the humerus bone is damaged, there is a high chance that the muscles and nerves connected to it will also be damaged.

• Rotator Cuff Injuries: This is a collection of muscles and tendons that help stabilize the shoulder joint. When damaged, this can cause shoulder pain and the inability to lift the arm.
• Dislocated Shoulder: This is when the ball-like part of the humerus bone comes out of the socket of the shoulder.
• Radial Nerve Damage: This nerve runs from our armpit down our arm and helps move our elbow, wrist, hand, and fingers. This nerve is also more likely to be damaged when the humerus bone is broken.

Tests that check the health of the humerus bone

The main test to check the strength of your humerus bone or other bones is a bone density test . This is also called a DEXA or DXA scan. It can measure how weak your bones have become as you age.

In the event of a broken bone, your doctor will refer you for tests such as:

• X-rays
• MRI Scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging - MRI)
• CT scan

What are the treatment options?

Usually, unless there is a fracture or other damage to the bone, the humerus bone does not require special treatment. However, if there is a condition such as osteoporosis, treatment may be necessary.

• Treatment for a broken bone: Treatment varies depending on where and how the fracture occurred. A plaster of Paris (cast) or splint may be used to immobilize the arm. Sometimes, surgery may be needed to realign the broken bone fragments.
• Treatment for osteoporosis: Your doctor may recommend vitamin and mineral supplements (especially calcium and vitamin D), exercise, and certain medications.
• Treatment for shoulder injuries: A dislocated shoulder may require a sling to immobilize the arm for several weeks. If the rotator cuff is torn, surgery may be needed to repair it.

How do we keep this humerus bone healthy?

The same things you do to maintain your overall health will also help keep your bones strong. Following these simple steps can also help protect you from accidents.

• Wear your seat belt: Don't forget to wear your seat belt every time you ride in a vehicle.
• Use safety equipment: Wear proper safety equipment when playing sports or doing hazardous work.
• Keep your home and workplace tidy: Don't leave things on the floor that you could trip over while walking.
• When picking up something from a height, don't climb on chairs: always use something suitable, like a ladder.
• Good diet and exercise: Eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D. Exercise daily. These strengthen bones.
• If you are at high risk of falling: If you have difficulty walking or are at risk of falling, use a cane or walker .