The Humerus is the long bone of the upper arm. It attaches via a ball and socket joint to the shoulder and runs down to the elbow joint. Most fractures occur at the neck (top part) or mid shaft (middle) and are quite painful and debilitating.
This bone is often broken from a fall with an outstretched hand or in a car accident. Usually the fracture can be treated without surgery if the bone is stable and not out of position.
Whether you need to have surgery or not, your Physiotherapist can guide you through the early to later stages of recovery. In the early stages, the focus will be on ensuring you’re wearing the sling correctly, managing your pain adequately and moving the adjacent joints such as the neck, wrist and elbow to prevent stiffness. In the later stages, the focus then shifts to progressive strengthening and range of movement of the shoulder. Humerus fractures can take approximately 8-12 weeks to heal.
Having osteoporosis (softer bones), lower limb muscle weakness and poor balance puts you at greater risk of a Humerus fracture. Your Physiotherapist can design an exercise program to address these risk factors thereby reducing your risk of injury.
The Physiotherapists at Enhance Physiotherapy are caring and experienced professionals who can guide you through your recovery and back to the activities you enjoy.
