Arm & Humerus

Understanding your arm and humerus injury or complex fracture is important. Our dedicated team of expert orthopedic doctors in Ahmedabad have developed this patient eudcation section to help you understand your fracture better and how we can help fix, correct and heal you as quickly and safely as possible. Dr. Pranav A. Shah and his team of the best orthopedic doctors in Ahmedabad have been able to successfully solve the hardest of complex fracture of the shoulder type of cases in just a short period of time for most patients ensuring that they had an excellent near perfect full recovery post operation in 99% of the cases. The patient testimonials and case studies presented on the website provide ample evidence that Dr. Pranav Shah and his team of the best orthopedic surgeons in Ahmedaad are amongst the best orthopedic doctors in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The expert Complex Fracture orthopedic doctor team performs at a world class facility CIMS Hospital in Ahmedabad, which has been rated as the best hospital in Gujarat for the year 2018 and is located in India.

Introduction of Region :

In the arm, a fracture most often occurs in the long and slender shaft of one of the arm bone-humerus. The humerus is the bone that extends from the shoulder to the elbow. In otherwise healthy people, mostfractures of the humerus are caused by a direct blow to the upper arm. This often is caused by a motor vehicle accident or high-impact fall. Very commonly nerve injury (Radial Nerve) is associated with humerus fractures.

Causes of Fracture :

In otherwise healthy people, most fractures of the humerus are caused by a direct blow to the upper arm. This often is caused by a motor vehicle accident or high-impact fall. Less often, the humerus can fracture because of a severe twist of the upper arm, a fall on an outstretched hand, or an extreme contraction of upper arm muscles. If the bone fractures because of an extreme muscle contraction, the break curves around the bone. This is sometimes called a “spiral fracture” or a “ball-thrower’s fracture.” These injuries are common in weak osteoporotic bones.

Do I Require Surgery ? :

Humerus fractures can be treated without surgery in a plaster/ splint. If they are stable, well aligned and there is no nerve injury. Fitting a plaster in an obese patient may be difficult. Surgery is required if

Fracture has a wound (Open fracture)
There is associated nerve injury
There is associated blood vessel injury
Fracture is multi fragmented
If patient desires early mobilization without plaster/splint

What are the Benefits of Surgery ? :

Early relief from pain
Early resumption of day to day activities
No need for plaster
Repair/Relies of nerve/blood vessels, if injured

What is the recovery process ? :

If treated in plaster, the recovery would take from six to twelve weeks. Plaster change may be require two to four times during this period if plaster loosens or is damaged. Operated patients can start elbow and shoulder exercises from the next day and activities like self-care, writing, feeding etc. within a week.Full weight bearing or weight lifting is delayed till the X-ray shows completed bone healing.

What are the risks in the Surgery ? :

Common complications of humerus surgeries are ,

Infection
Nonunion (Failure to Heal)
Malunion (Healing with deformity)
Radial nerve paralysis (Usually temporary – recovers in 3 months).
Uncommon complications like scar pain, blood vessel injury and stiffness of adjacent and joints.