Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Most proximal humerus fractures are stable and can be treated without surgery. [8] Typical non-operative treatment consists of shoulder immobilization with a sling. Close follow-up and weekly x-rays are recommended in order to ensure that the fracture is healing and maintaining good alignment.
It is vulnerable to injury with fractures of the humeral shaft as it lies in very close proximity to the bone (it descends within the spiral groove on the posterior aspect of the humerus). Characteristic findings following injury will be as a result of radial nerve palsy (e.g. weakness of wrist/finger extension and sensory loss over the dorsum ...
Fractures of the humerus shaft are usually correctly identified with radiographic images taken from the AP and lateral viewpoints. [12] Damage to the radial nerve from a shaft fracture can be identified by an inability to bend the hand backwards or by decreased sensation in the back of the hand. [5]
This fracture pattern is relatively rare in adults, but is the most common type of elbow fracture in children. [1] In children, many of these fractures are non-displaced and can be treated with casting. Some are angulated or displaced and are best treated with surgery.
Studies generally use the x-ray appearance of the arm to determine how displaced a fracture is. The definition of ‘displaced fractures' are variable, with anything from 2mm to more than 15mm; [4] however x-rays on which this assessment is made are known to be hugely misleading with fractures showing little displacement having >10mm displacement using CT scans.
A fracture in this area is most likely to cause damage to the axillary nerve and posterior circumflex humeral artery. Damage to the axillary nerve affects function of the teres minor and deltoid muscles, resulting in loss of abduction of arm (from 15-90 degrees), weak flexion, extension, and rotation of shoulder as well as loss of sensation of ...
Surgery to cut the adhesions (capsular release) may be indicated in prolonged and severe cases; the procedure is usually performed by arthroscopy. Surgical evaluation of other problems with the shoulder, e.g., subacromial bursitis or rotator cuff tear, may be needed. Resistant adhesive capsulitis may respond to open release surgery.
Medical history (the patient tells the doctor about an injury). For shoulder problems the medical history includes the patient's age, dominant hand, if injury affects normal work/activities as well as details on the actual shoulder problem including acute versus chronic and the presence of shoulder catching, instability, locking, pain, paresthesias (burning sensation), stiffness, swelling, and ...