Humerus shaft fracture

Background

• Peaks in third and seventh decades of life (young men and osteoporotic elderly women)
• Occurs via direct blow or FOOSH
• Common site of pathologic fractures (esp breast cancer)
• Rule-out radial nerve injury (wrist drop - no ext of wrist, fingers, or thumb)

Clinical Features

• Localized tenderness, swelling, pain

Imaging

• Obtain views of humerus, elbow and shoulder

Differential Diagnosis

Humerus Fracture Types

Humeral anatomy

• Adult
  • Proximal
  • Shaft
  • Distal
    • Capitellum
    • Trochlea
    • Condylar
• Pediatric
  • Proximal
  • Shaft
  • Distal
    • Supracondylar
    • Lateral epicondyle
    • Medial epicondyle

Management

• Ice, sling and swathe, ortho referral

See Also

• Humerus Fracture (Peds)
• Fracture (Main)

Source

• Tintinalli