Humerus Fractures Summary: Diagnose, Treat & Heal

Proximal humerus fractures ### Summary
Proximal humerus fractures are very common injuries, and they are one of the true osteoporotic fractures. Most fractures can be treated effectively without surgery, as the rich blood vessels and wide surfaces give a great tendency to heal. In addition, many fracture patterns result in adequate bone contact and less displacement with acceptable alignment. Open reduction and internal fixation of displaced fractures can improve outcomes, depending on the functional status of the patient prior to injury. If surgical treatment is chosen, unique treatment challenges must be overcome, including the diagnosis and preservation of small bone fragments with strong muscular forces, often in bones with osteoporosis. Many options are feasible, including plates, screw, wires, and other hardware. Anatomical location Fractures of the head of the humerus may occur in the surgical neck, the anatomical neck, the greater tuberosity, and the lesser tuberosity
$Proximal humerus fractures Summary Proximal humerus fractures are very common injuries, and they are one of the true osteoporotic fractures. Most fractures can be treated effectively without surgery, as the rich blood vessels and wide surfaces give a great tendency to heal. In addition, many fracture patterns result in adequate bone contact and less displacement with acceptable alignment. Open reduction and internal fixation of displaced fractures can improve outcomes, depending on the functional status of the patient prior to injury. If surgical treatment is chosen, unique treatment challenges must be overcome, including the diagnosis and preservation of small bone fragments with strong muscular forces, often in bones with osteoporosis. Many options are feasible, including plates, screw, wires, and other hardware. anatomical location Fractures of the head of the humerus may occur in the surgical neck, the anatomical neck, the greater tuberosity, and the lesser tuberosity Two-part surgical neck fractures are most common risk factors Osteoporosis diabetic epilepsy female Associated injuries nerve injury Most common axillary nerve injury Arterial injury Uncommon (incidence 5-6%), higher probability in older patients It often occurs at the surgical neck level or with subluxation of the head How do we classify proximal humeral fractures? On the basis of the anatomical relationship consisting of 4 parts How do we classify proximal humeral fractures? On the basis of the anatomical relationship consisting of 4 parts single part fractures two-part fractures Three-part fractions Four-part fractions Dislocations and fractures of joint surface injuries Separate categories have been added because they represent more severe injuries, are more likely to develop avascular necrosis . Likewise, fractures of the articular surface have been placed in a separate category due to their unique treatment considerations. Treatment options for proximal humeral head fractures Non-surgical management If the proximal humerus fracture is non-displaced and stable, nonsurgical management may be a viable option. This may consist of wearing an arm sling, rest, pain medication, and gentle physical therapy after the fracture has healed. The bone usually takes 8 to 12 weeks for the primary fusion mass to form. Keeping the arm supported and reducing the amount of stress on the fracture is key. Surgical options It depends on several factors, including: Are fractures open? What is the exact classification of fracture? patient's age Associated injuries$
Two-part surgical neck fractures are most common

Risk factors

Osteoporosis * Diabetic * Epilepsy * Female ### Associated injuries Nerve injury Most common axillary nerve injury Arterial injury Uncommon (incidence 5-6%), higher probability in older patients
It often occurs at the surgical neck level or with subluxation of the head

How do we classify proximal humeral fractures? On the basis of the anatomical relationship consisting of 4 parts

Single part fractures

$Proximal humerus fractures Summary Proximal humerus fractures are very common injuries, and they are one of the true osteoporotic fractures. Most fractures can be treated effectively without surgery, as the rich blood vessels and wide surfaces give a great tendency to heal. In addition, many fracture patterns result in adequate bone contact and less displacement with acceptable alignment. Open reduction and internal fixation of displaced fractures can improve outcomes, depending on the functional status of the patient prior to injury. If surgical treatment is chosen, unique treatment challenges must be overcome, including the diagnosis and preservation of small bone fragments with strong muscular forces, often in bones with osteoporosis. Many options are feasible, including plates, screw, wires, and other hardware. Anatomical location Fractures of the head of the humerus may occur in the surgical neck, the anatomical neck, the greater tuberosity, and the lesser tuberosity Two-part surgical neck fractures are most common Risk factors Osteoporosis Diabetic Epilepsy Female Associated injuries Nerve injury Most common axillary nerve injury Arterial injury Uncommon (incidence 5-6%), higher probability in older patients It often occurs at the surgical neck level or with subluxation of the head How do we classify proximal humeral fractures? On the basis of the anatomical relationship consisting of 4 parts How do we classify proximal humeral fractures? On the basis of the anatomical relationship consisting of 4 parts Single part fractures Two-part fractures Three-part fractions Four-part fractions Dislocations and fractures of joint surface injuries Separate categories have been added because they represent more severe injuries, are more likely to develop avascular necrosis . Likewise, fractures of the articular surface have been placed in a separate category due to their unique treatment considerations. Treatment options for proximal humeral head fractures Non-surgical management If the proximal humerus fracture is non-displaced and stable, nonsurgical management may be a viable option. This may consist of wearing an arm sling, rest, pain medication, and gentle physical therapy after the fracture has healed. The bone usually takes 8 to 12 weeks for the primary fusion mass to form. Keeping the arm supported and reducing the amount of stress on the fracture is key. Surgical options It depends on several factors, including: Are fractures open? What is the exact classification of fracture? Patient's age Associated injuries$

Two-part fractures

Three-part fractions

$Proximal humerus fractures Summary Proximal humerus fractures are very common injuries, and they are one of the true osteoporotic fractures. Most fractures can be treated effectively without surgery, as the rich blood vessels and wide surfaces give a great tendency to heal. In addition, many fracture patterns result in adequate bone contact and less displacement with acceptable alignment. Open reduction and internal fixation of displaced fractures can improve outcomes, depending on the functional status of the patient prior to injury. If surgical treatment is chosen, unique treatment challenges must be overcome, including the diagnosis and preservation of small bone fragments with strong muscular forces, often in bones with osteoporosis. Many options are feasible, including plates, screw, wires, and other hardware. anatomical location Fractures of the head of the humerus may occur in the surgical neck, the anatomical neck, the greater tuberosity, and the lesser tuberosity Two-part surgical neck fractures are most common risk factors Osteoporosis diabetic epilepsy female Associated injuries nerve injury Most common axillary nerve injury Arterial injury Uncommon (incidence 5-6%), higher probability in older patients It often occurs at the surgical neck level or with subluxation of the head How do we classify proximal humeral fractures? On the basis of the anatomical relationship consisting of 4 parts How do we classify proximal humeral fractures? On the basis of the anatomical relationship consisting of 4 parts single part fractures two-part fractures Three-part fractions Four-part fractions Dislocations and fractures of joint surface injuries Separate categories have been added because they represent more severe injuries, are more likely to develop avascular necrosis . Likewise, fractures of the articular surface have been placed in a separate category due to their unique treatment considerations. Treatment options for proximal humeral head fractures Non-surgical management If the proximal humerus fracture is non-displaced and stable, nonsurgical management may be a viable option. This may consist of wearing an arm sling, rest, pain medication, and gentle physical therapy after the fracture has healed. The bone usually takes 8 to 12 weeks for the primary fusion mass to form. Keeping the arm supported and reducing the amount of stress on the fracture is key. Surgical options It depends on several factors, including: Are fractures open? What is the exact classification of fracture? patient's age Associated injuries$

Four-part fractions

$Proximal humerus fractures Summary Proximal humerus fractures are very common injuries, and they are one of the true osteoporotic fractures. Most fractures can be treated effectively without surgery, as the rich blood vessels and wide surfaces give a great tendency to heal. In addition, many fracture patterns result in adequate bone contact and less displacement with acceptable alignment. Open reduction and internal fixation of displaced fractures can improve outcomes, depending on the functional status of the patient prior to injury. If surgical treatment is chosen, unique treatment challenges must be overcome, including the diagnosis and preservation of small bone fragments with strong muscular forces, often in bones with osteoporosis. Many options are feasible, including plates, screw, wires, and other hardware. anatomical location Fractures of the head of the humerus may occur in the surgical neck, the anatomical neck, the greater tuberosity, and the lesser tuberosity Two-part surgical neck fractures are most common risk factors Osteoporosis diabetic epilepsy female Associated injuries nerve injury Most common axillary nerve injury Arterial injury Uncommon (incidence 5-6%), higher probability in older patients It often occurs at the surgical neck level or with subluxation of the head How do we classify proximal humeral fractures? On the basis of the anatomical relationship consisting of 4 parts How do we classify proximal humeral fractures? On the basis of the anatomical relationship consisting of 4 parts single part fractures two-part fractures Three-part fractions Four-part fractions Dislocations and fractures of joint surface injuries Separate categories have been added because they represent more severe injuries, are more likely to develop avascular necrosis . Likewise, fractures of the articular surface have been placed in a separate category due to their unique treatment considerations. Treatment options for proximal humeral head fractures Non-surgical management If the proximal humerus fracture is non-displaced and stable, nonsurgical management may be a viable option. This may consist of wearing an arm sling, rest, pain medication, and gentle physical therapy after the fracture has healed. The bone usually takes 8 to 12 weeks for the primary fusion mass to form. Keeping the arm supported and reducing the amount of stress on the fracture is key. Surgical options It depends on several factors, including: Are fractures open? What is the exact classification of fracture? patient's age Associated injuries$

Dislocations and fractures of joint surface injuries

Treatment options for proximal humeral head fractures Non-surgical management

If the proximal humerus fracture is non-displaced and stable, nonsurgical management may be a viable option. This may consist of wearing an arm sling, rest, pain medication, and gentle physical therapy after the fracture has healed. The bone usually takes 8 to 12 weeks for the primary fusion mass to form. Keeping the arm supported and reducing the amount of stress on the fracture is key.

Surgical options

It depends on several factors, including:
* Are fractures open?
* What is the exact classification of fracture?
* Patient's age
* Associated injuries

Your Complete Humerus Fractures Summary: Diagnosis & Healing

Key Medical Takeaway