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Orthopedic Surgery Clerkship pp 85–86Cite as

Humeral Shaft Fractures

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Abstract

Humeral shaft fractures are common in elderly osteoporotic patients with low-energy injuries or young patients with high-energy injuries. Fractures of the humerus account for 3–5% of all fractures. Most may be treated with splints and bracing, but open fractures, vascular injuries, and associated brachial plexus injuries do better with operative treatment. Outcomes are similar with plating versus IM nails, but nailing has a higher incidence of shoulder pain and nerve injury. The radial nerve is at increased risk with oblique distal humeral fractures but is usually neuropraxias.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA

    Alan R. Koester MD

Authors
  1. Alan R. Koester MD
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Correspondence to Alan R. Koester MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA

    Adam E. M. Eltorai

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA

    Craig P. Eberson

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Spine Surgery, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA

    Alan H. Daniels

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Koester, A.R. (2017). Humeral Shaft Fractures. In: Eltorai, A., Eberson, C., Daniels, A. (eds) Orthopedic Surgery Clerkship. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52567-9_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52567-9_18

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-52565-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-52567-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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