The cause of a humeral Fracture is a drop on the arm elbow, on the hand or on the shoulder. Because of all the muscles which attach to the upper humerus, there may be a whole lot of muscular force at the time, dictating how much the bones have been pulled to a displaced position. Humeral fractures are more common in the elderly with a mean age of fracture of about 65 years and younger individuals typically have a history of forceful trauma like motor accidents or game.If the fracture occurred without force that was significant then a cause like cancer has to be suspected. On physio examination pain will happen on motion of the shoulder or the elbow, there could be extensive swelling and bruising, the arm may seem short if the fracture is displaced in shaft fractures and there is extremely restricted shoulder movement. Radial nerve damage is uncommon in upper humeral fractures but more prevalent in fractures of the shaft, resulting in wrist drop, weakness of the wrist and finger extensors and a few thumb motions.
Management of Humeral Fractures
With little if any displacement the direction is non-operative but when the greater tuberosity is north york physiotherapy clinic then it is important to suspect rotator cuff injury. This is common in accidents with forces, once the patient is elderly or the tuberosity is displaced. Humeral neck fractures can be kept consistent with a collar and cuff allowing the elbow to hang loose while shaft fractures are difficult to handle but may be braced.
Shoulder Fracture Treatment by Physiotherapy
Initially the arm asking the patient about their pain level varies analyzing swelling and the swelling of the arm. The physiotherapist then assesses the accessible assortment of motion of the shoulder, elbow forearm and hand. Any muscle weakness and sensory loss is noted as nerve damage may be denoted by this. If not operated on a sling is continued with and when the fracture is not too painful or intense, early exercises are initiated from the physiotherapist. Pendula exercises together with the individual bending over at the waist are important in the early stages since they allow movement of the shoulder joint without much pressure.Three months after the fracture Bone recovery will be well under way so the physiotherapist will teach the patient in auto-assisted exercises together with the other arm to decrease pressure on the injury. Unassisted exercises are another step as the arm gets more powerful to practice lateral and medial rotation and flexion. At six months the bone will be clinically sound so the physio can progress to more vigorous movements with resistance and gentle end-range stretching. Joint mobilizations can be useful to free up the gliding and sliding movements of the joint and strengthening and range work continued with Thera band.
