HUMERAL SHAFT FRACTURES

Course overview

UP TO 5% OF FRACTURES INVOLVE THE HUMERAL AREA. IN THE YOUNG, THIS INJURY IS TYPICALLY DUE TO HIGH-ENERGY TRAUMA, AS IN MOTOR VEHICULAR ACCIDENTS. IN CONTRAST, OLDER PATIENTS CAN FRACTURE THIS BONE EVEN AT LOW IMPACT. CONSERVATIVE AND SURGICAL TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR HUMERAL SHAFT FRACTURES, THOUGH THESE INJURIES MAY CAUSE COMPLICATIONS AFTER THERAPY. UNSUCCESSFUL TREATMENT MAY LEAD TO NONUNION, MALUNION, PATIENT DISSATISFACTION, AND FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS THAT CAN COMPROMISE ONE'S QUALITY OF LIFE.THIS ACTIVITY PRESENTS THE CAUSES OF HUMERAL SHAFT FRACTURES AND THE ROLES OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN DIAGNOSING AND MANAGING THIS CONDITION. ORTHOPEDIC TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR THESE INJURIES ARE ALSO DISCUSSED.