About this topic
The bone in your upper arm is your humerus. It is a part of both your shoulder and elbow joints. An upper arm fracture may be a crack or break anywhere in the bone. You may have problems moving your shoulder or elbow. This often is from a fall, car crash, or direct blow to the upper arm. ‚
The treatment is based on how bad the break is. You may need a cast or splint. Other breaks need surgery to fix them. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Rest your arm. Your doctor may have you wear a splint, brace, or cast to limit your movement.
- Do not sleep on the side with the fracture. You may sleep better with your head and arm propped up with a pillow.
- Do not push, pull, lift, or strain the broken arm, or raise it over your head. Ask your doctor what movement is safe to do.
- Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- Prop your arm on pillows to help with swelling. Try to keep your lower arm raised above your heart.
- Wiggle your fingers often. This will help blood flow. Move your shoulders often so you do not get shoulder pain.
- Wear a sling if the doctor tells you to.
- Ask about cast or splint care.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. You may need more x-rays. The doctor may need to remove your cast, splint, brace or stitches. Be sure to keep these visits. Your doctor may order physical therapy or an exercise program for you. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Treat infection
Will physical activity be limited?
- A fracture takes about 6 to 10 weeks to heal. Based on the type of fracture, it may take up to a year for full recovery. You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
- Ask your doctor when it is safe for you to:
- Play sports
- Drive
- Work
- Exercise
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Damage to nerves and blood vessels
- Less movement of your elbow and shoulder
- Fracture does not mend
- Avascular necrosis of the head of the humerus if the blood supply to this part of the bone was damaged with the fracture.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Take extra care to avoid falling. Falls are a common cause of fractures.
- Use protective equipment when playing sports.
- Eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D. This will help keep your bones strong.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; wound will not heal; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Hand or fingers turn blue, feel cold, or feel numb or tingling
- More severe pain or swelling
- You have a cast, splint, or brace and it feels too tight
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00513 ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00394 ‚
American Society for Surgery of the Hand ‚
http://handcare.assh.org/Hand-Anatomy/Details-Page/ArticleID/27965/Elbow-Fractures.aspx ‚
http://handcare.assh.org/Hand-Anatomy/Details-Page/ArticleID/27948/Shoulder-Fractures.aspx ‚
Last Reviewed Date
2015-04-08 ‚
List_set bdysylist
- Neuromuscular and Skeletal
- Therapy (Occupational, Physical, Speech, etc)
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚