AboutKidsHealth

 

 

Upper arm (humerus) fractureUUpper arm (humerus) fractureUpper arm (humerus) fractureEnglishOrthopaedics/MusculoskeletalChild (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)Upper armBonesNon-drug treatmentCaregivers Adult (19+)NA2009-11-10T05:00:00ZPreeti Grewal, RN, MN, APN;William Cole, MBBS, MSc, PhD, FRACS, FRCSC6.0000000000000075.0000000000000500.000000000000Health (A-Z) - ProcedureHealth A-Z<p>An upper arm (humerus) fracture is classified as a proximal fracture or a shaft fracture. Read how upper arm fractures are treated, and about recovery. </p><figure><span class="asset-image-title">Fractured humerus (arm)</span><img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Fracture_humerus_MED_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Fracture in the middle of the upper arm" /><figcaption class="asset-image-caption">The fracture may be near the shoulder. The illustration shows a shaft fracture, which is towards the middle of the bone.</figcaption> </figure> <p>Your child has a fracture of the humerus, the arm bone between the elbow and the shoulder.<br></p><p>Your child may have a proximal or shaft fracture. A proximal fracture is close to the shoulder. A shaft fracture is more towards the middle of the bone. </p><h2>Key points</h2> <ul> <li>Fractured upper arm bones do not always need a cast. Often, these bone fracture are treated with a sling or a collar and cuff. </li> <li>Your child will have a follow-up visit to the fracture clinic. </li> <li>After about three weeks, your child can start slowly and gently exercising the shoulder. Swimming is a good low-impact way to do this.</li> </ul><h2>Your child will need an X-ray</h2> <p>Your child will have an <a href="/Article?contentid=1647&language=English">X-ray</a>. The X-ray will show where and how severe the fracture is. This may be the only X-ray taken, however, depending on the fracture, another X-ray may be needed. </p> <h2>Your child may not need a cast</h2> <p>Depending on the place, size and type of fracture, your child may not need a cast. Instead, your child will have a sling or a "collar and cuff." </p> <ul> <li>A collar and cuff is a strip of material tied around the wrist and around the neck. It keeps the arm bent but allows the elbow to drop. Proximal fractures will likely get a collar and cuff. </li> <li>A sling covers the whole arm and goes around the neck. It keeps the arm bent and supports the whole arm. Shaft fractures will likely need a sling.</li> </ul> <h2>Follow-up appointment</h2> <p>Your child will have a follow-up appointment at the fracture clinic about seven to 10 days after the break occurred. The staff there will make sure your child's arm is healing properly. You will be given special instructions about exercising the arm. You will also be told how much longer the sling, collar and cuff, or cast must stay on. </p> <p>Write down the date and time of your child's follow-up appointment here:</p> <p>Write down the number of the fracture clinic here:</p> <p>Write down the name of the doctor or nurse at the fracture clinic here:</p>
Fracture du bras (humérus)FFracture du bras (humérus)Upper arm (humerus) fractureFrenchOrthopaedics/MusculoskeletalChild (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)Upper armBonesNon-drug treatmentCaregivers Adult (19+)NA2009-11-10T05:00:00ZPreeti Grewal, RN, MN, APN;William Cole, MBBS, MSc, PhD, FRACS, FRCSC6.0000000000000075.0000000000000500.000000000000Health (A-Z) - ProcedureHealth A-Z<p>Une fracture du bras (humérus) est classée en tant que fracture proximale ou fracture du corps du bras.</p><figure><span class="asset-image-title">Fracture de l'humérus (bras)</span><img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Fracture_humerus_MED_ILL_FR.jpg" alt="Fracture vers le milieu du haut du bras" /><figcaption class="asset-image-caption">La fracture pourrait se situer près de l'épaule. L'illustration illustre une fracture de la diaphyse de l'os, situé au milieu de l'os.</figcaption> </figure> <p>Votre enfant a une fracture de l'humérus, l'os du bras qui se situe entre le coude et l'épaule.<br></p><p>Votre enfant pourrait avoir une fracture de la diaphyse de l'humérus ou avoir une fracture proximale. Le terme proximale signifie près de l'épaule, et la diaphyse est au milieu de l'os.</p><h2>À retenir</h2> <ul><li>Les os cassés du bras n'ont pas toujours besoin d'être plâtre. Souvent, ces fractures sont traitées à l'aide d'une écharpe.</li> <li>Votre enfant aura un rendez-vous de suivi à la clinique des fractures.</li> <li>Après environ 3 semaines, votre enfant pourra lentement et sans forcer recommencer à faire des exercices de l'épaule. La natation est un bon moyen à faible impact de le faire.</li></ul><h2>Votre enfant aura besoin d'une radiographie</h2> <p>Votre enfant aura une <a href="/Article?contentid=1647&language=French">radiographie</a>, qui montrera où se trouve la fracture et sa gravité. Ce pourrait être la seule radiographie prise; cependant, selon la fracture, une autre pourrait être nécessaire.</p> <h2>Il se peut que votre enfant n'ait pas besoin d'un plâtre</h2> <p>Selon l'emplacement, la taille et le type de fracture, votre enfant pourrait ne pas avoir besoin d'un plâtre. Au lieu de cela, votre enfant portera son bras en écharpe </p> <ul> <li>Une écharpe en tour-de-poignet est un morceau de tissu attaché autour du poignet et autour du cou. Elle garde le bras plié, mais permet au coude de se reposer. Les fractures proximales seront probablement immobilisées avec une écharpe.</li> <li>Une écharpe couvre le bras au complet et s'enroule autour du cou. Elle garde le bras plié et soutient le bras complet. Les fractures de la diaphyse de l'humérus seront probablement immobilisées avec une écharpe.</li> </ul> <h2>Rendez-vous de suivi</h2> <p>Votre enfant aura un rendez-vous de suivi à la clinique environ 7 à 10 jours après la fracture. Le personnel s'assurera de la bonne guérison du bras de votre enfant. On vous donnera des directives précises sur des exercices pour le bras, et on vous dira combien de temps il faut garder en place l'écharpe ou le plâtre.</p> <p>Écrire la date et l'heure du rendez-vous ici :</p> <p>Écrire le numéro de la clinique ici :</p> <p>Écrire le nom du médecin ou de l'infirmièr de la clinique ici :</p>

 

 

Upper arm (humerus) fracture1185.00000000000Upper arm (humerus) fractureUpper arm (humerus) fractureUEnglishOrthopaedics/MusculoskeletalChild (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)Upper armBonesNon-drug treatmentCaregivers Adult (19+)NA2009-11-10T05:00:00ZPreeti Grewal, RN, MN, APN;William Cole, MBBS, MSc, PhD, FRACS, FRCSC6.0000000000000075.0000000000000500.000000000000Health (A-Z) - ProcedureHealth A-Z<p>An upper arm (humerus) fracture is classified as a proximal fracture or a shaft fracture. Read how upper arm fractures are treated, and about recovery. </p><figure><span class="asset-image-title">Fractured humerus (arm)</span><img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Fracture_humerus_MED_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Fracture in the middle of the upper arm" /><figcaption class="asset-image-caption">The fracture may be near the shoulder. The illustration shows a shaft fracture, which is towards the middle of the bone.</figcaption> </figure> <p>Your child has a fracture of the humerus, the arm bone between the elbow and the shoulder.<br></p><p>Your child may have a proximal or shaft fracture. A proximal fracture is close to the shoulder. A shaft fracture is more towards the middle of the bone. </p><h2>Key points</h2> <ul> <li>Fractured upper arm bones do not always need a cast. Often, these bone fracture are treated with a sling or a collar and cuff. </li> <li>Your child will have a follow-up visit to the fracture clinic. </li> <li>After about three weeks, your child can start slowly and gently exercising the shoulder. Swimming is a good low-impact way to do this.</li> </ul><h2>Recovering from the fracture</h2> <h3>After about two weeks</h3> <p>The fracture will get better and you may see or feel a bump at the fracture site. The bump means the fracture is healing. It will get smaller over the next year, but it may not disappear fully. </p> <h3>After about three weeks</h3> <p>Your child can start shoulder exercises. You and your child will learn about these at the follow-up appointment. Swimming is also a good activity for your child's shoulder, as long as it is comfortable.</p> <h3>Four to six weeks after the sling is removed</h3> <p>Your child should avoid high-impact, contact sports for four to six weeks after the sling is taken off.</p> <p>Your child will gradually gain confidence and return to normal activities after that. If you have questions about whether a certain activity is safe, ask the staff at the fracture clinic. </p> <p>If you have any concerns, contact your family doctor or the advanced practice nurse (APN) at the fracture clinic.</p><h2>Your child will need an X-ray</h2> <p>Your child will have an <a href="/Article?contentid=1647&language=English">X-ray</a>. The X-ray will show where and how severe the fracture is. This may be the only X-ray taken, however, depending on the fracture, another X-ray may be needed. </p> <h2>Your child may not need a cast</h2> <p>Depending on the place, size and type of fracture, your child may not need a cast. Instead, your child will have a sling or a "collar and cuff." </p> <ul> <li>A collar and cuff is a strip of material tied around the wrist and around the neck. It keeps the arm bent but allows the elbow to drop. Proximal fractures will likely get a collar and cuff. </li> <li>A sling covers the whole arm and goes around the neck. It keeps the arm bent and supports the whole arm. Shaft fractures will likely need a sling.</li> </ul> <h2>Follow-up appointment</h2> <p>Your child will have a follow-up appointment at the fracture clinic about seven to 10 days after the break occurred. The staff there will make sure your child's arm is healing properly. You will be given special instructions about exercising the arm. You will also be told how much longer the sling, collar and cuff, or cast must stay on. </p> <p>Write down the date and time of your child's follow-up appointment here:</p> <p>Write down the number of the fracture clinic here:</p> <p>Write down the name of the doctor or nurse at the fracture clinic here:</p><img alt="" src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/upper_arm_fracture.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/upper_arm_fracture.jpgupperarmfractureUpper arm (humerus) fractureFalse
Thank you to our sponsors

AboutKidsHealth is proud to partner with the following sponsors as they support our mission to improve the health and wellbeing of children in Canada and around the world by making accessible health care information available via the internet.

Find and follow us online Monthly newsletter sign-up