Your humerus is the upper arm bone that runs from the shoulder and shoulder blade to your elbow. The humerus can fracture at any point along the bone, but when it occurs in the upper portion near the shoulder, it is considered a proximal fracture. Not only can this type of injury be painful, it can also lead to some shoulder problems if healing doesn’t occur as needed. In today’s blog, we explain how you can protect your shoulder by getting the right treatment for a proximal humerus fracture.
Causes And Symptoms Of Proximal Humerus Fractures
Before we dive into the treatment options, let’s first explore the causes and symptoms of proximal humerus fractures. In most cases, a proximal humerus fracture occurs during a fall when an individual lands traumatically while their arms are outstretched. This is a defensive position that helps to protect the head and chest area from direct trauma, but this significant force is first exhibited on the arms, which can overload the bone and lead to fracture onset. Proximal humerus fractures can also occur during automobile accidents or athletic collisions. Older adults, diabetics and those with osteoporitic degeneration are at a heightened risk for proximal humerus fractures because less stress is needed to overload the bone.
It’s typically pretty apparent that you are dealing with an arm or shoulder injury following this type of trauma, but you may not know the extent of the damage. Proximal humerus fractures are typically diagnosed with the help of imaging exams like an X-ray or CT scan during the course of a professional evaluation.
Symptoms that are commonly associated with a proximal humerus fracture include:
- Significant pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Inhibited range of motion
- Visible arm misalignment/deformity
- Grinding sensation during movement
- Numbness (could indicate axillary nerve damage)
Treating Proximal Humerus Fractures
Proximal humerus fractures can be treated conservatively and operatively, and your course of treatment will be determined based on individual factors like the extent of your injury, the stability of the fracture site, your individual health and your recovery goals. The majority of proximal humerus fractures do not lead to bone fragmentation or major stability issues with the humerus and shoulder connection, so most of these fractures can be successfully treated without surgery. The key to successful conservative care involves stabilizing the area and protecting the arm while the early stages of healing begin. Immobilization in a sling for a few weeks is recommended, followed by a gradual introduction of physical therapy exercises. PT will help to reestablish strength and range of motion in the arm and shoulder region, which will be crucial in restoring normal physical function to the area. Regular imaging tests and assessments by your care team will ensure healing is progressing as expected. Most patients can make a full recovery from a proximal fracture in 8-12 weeks with the help of a conservative care plan.
If the damage to the humerus has destabilized the shoulder region, or bone fragmentation is unlikely to heal correctly on its own, your shoulder specialist may recommend a surgical procedure. Which type of procedure will be dependent on your individual needs, but your surgeon may recommend a closed or open reduction with the insertion of surgical hardware, or a standard or reverse shoulder arthroplasty procedure. The goal of any operation is to stabilize the fracture site and secure the bones in a position such that ideal bone healing can take place. Bone healing after surgery usually takes about eight weeks, but patients may need up to six months of recovery and rehabilitation exercises to get back to full strength if surgery is needed.
Hopefully you never need to work to overcome a proximal humeral fracture, but Dr. Holloway and his team are here to help if you do. For more information, or for help with a different type of shoulder injury, reach out to his office today at (865) 410-7887.
