Shoulder conditions
Humeral shaft fractures
A break of the upper arm bone along its shaft, often treatable in a brace, with surgery reserved for unstable or displaced fractures.
Upper arm bone break
Falls & trauma
Many heal in a brace
What is a humeral shaft fracture?
The humeral is the long bone of the upper arm. A humeral shaft fracture is a break along its length, between the shoulder and the elbow, usually from a fall or a direct blow.
Many shaft fractures heal well in a functional brace that lets gravity hold the bone in line. Surgery is used when the fracture is unstable, badly displaced, open, or associated with nerve injury.
Overview
At a glance
The body does the healing
The upper arm has an excellent blood supply, and many humeral shaft fractures unite reliably in a brace without ever needing an operation.
Symptoms & signs
Signs of a humeral shaft fracture
These are painful injuries that limit use of the whole arm.
Severe pain in the upper arm after a fall or blow
Visible deformity, shortening, or abnormal motion of the arm
Swelling and bruising along the upper arm
Inability to use the arm normally
Numbness or wrist weakness if a nerve is involved
Causes & risk factors
What causes them
Most result from a fall or direct trauma.
Falls
A fall onto the arm is the most common cause, especially in older adults.
High-energy trauma
Motor vehicle and sports collisions cause more severe fractures.
Weakened bone
Osteoporosis and other bone conditions raise the risk.
Direct blow
A direct impact to the upper arm can break the shaft.
Treatment options
How humeral shaft fractures are treated
Most shaft fractures heal in a brace; surgery stabilizes unstable patterns.
- A functional brace that supports the arm while it unites
- Early gentle motion of the hand and elbow
- Pain control and regular X-rays
- Physical therapy as the bone consolidates
- A plate and screws or a rod to stabilize the bone
- For unstable, open, or displaced fractures
- Used when a nerve injury needs to be addressed
- Restores alignment and allows earlier motion
Related procedure
When a fracture is unstable, Dr. Cohn stabilizes it surgically, part of his treatment of fractures around the shoulder and arm.
Recovery
What recovery looks like
Healing typically takes a few months.
Protect
A brace or sling supports the arm while healing begins.
Gentle motion
Therapy restores elbow and shoulder motion.
Build strength
Strengthening returns as the fracture unites.
Full use
Most patients return to full activity.
FAQ
Common questions
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Yes, many humeral shaft fractures heal very well in a functional brace, thanks to the bone's strong blood supply.
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Surgery is used for fractures that are unstable, badly displaced, open, or associated with a nerve injury, or when bracing fails to keep the bone aligned.
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The radial nerve runs along the humerus and can be stretched by a fracture, causing wrist weakness. Dr. Cohn checks and monitors it carefully.
Related procedures