Signs of a Humerus Fracture
Shoulder and upper-arm fractures are common after a fall, and in older adults they can follow a simple fall from standing.
Shoulder pain after a fall
Pain, swelling and bruising at the shoulder, with trouble lifting the arm.
Bruising down the arm
Bruising that spreads down the arm toward the elbow over the next few days.
Pain and deformity mid-arm
Pain in the middle of the upper arm, sometimes with a visible bend.
Trouble lifting the wrist
Weakness lifting the wrist or fingers after an arm fracture should be mentioned at your visit.
Proximal Humerus and Humeral Shaft Fractures
Where the bone is broken, and how far the pieces have moved, guide treatment.
Most broken shoulders stay in good position and heal in a sling, followed by guided motion.
Fractures with pieces that have shifted may be fixed with a plate or nail.
Some complex fractures are treated with a shoulder replacement, often a reverse shoulder replacement.
Shoulder replacement →Many heal in a functional brace. Surgery is considered when alignment can't be held or other injuries are present.
A fracture that occurs with a shoulder dislocation is evaluated for both injuries.
Shoulder dislocation →ChildrenChildren's Arm FracturesUpper-arm fractures in children often heal well without surgery.
Children's fractures →Protecting Shoulder Motion and Function
The goal is a shoulder and arm that move and work well, whether or not surgery is needed.
Accurate Diagnosis
X-rays of the shoulder and arm, with CT for complex fractures near the shoulder.
Nonoperative Care When It Fits
A sling or functional brace, with guided motion begun as healing allows.
Surgery When Indicated
Plate or nail fixation, or shoulder replacement for selected complex fractures.
A Defined Recovery Plan
Sling, therapy and motion milestones written down at each visit.
What to Expect at Your Evaluation
Your first visit is focused on understanding the injury and outlining clear options.
How the arm was injured, and a check of the nerves and circulation in the arm and hand.
X-rays are reviewed with you, and CT is used when surgery is being considered.
Sling, brace or surgery, explained in plain language with time for your questions.
When to Have a Shoulder or Arm Injury Checked
- Shoulder pain and trouble lifting the arm after a fall
- Bruising spreading down the arm
- Pain or a visible bend in the upper arm
- Weakness lifting the wrist or fingers
From Conservative Care to Surgical Options
Treatment depends on the fracture, your age and activity, and your overall health.
Nonoperative Treatment
- Sling for proximal humerus fractures
- Functional brace for humeral shaft fractures
- Follow-up X-rays to confirm alignment
- Physical therapy for shoulder and elbow motion
Surgical Treatment
- Plate and screw fixation
- Intramedullary nailing
- Reverse shoulder replacement or hemiarthroplasty for selected complex fractures
- Performed at St. Luke's Orthopedic Hospital — West End Campus
This page is educational and does not replace an individual evaluation. Sling time, therapy and recovery depend on the fracture and the treatment, and are reviewed at each visit.
Read More Before Your Visit
In-depth guides written to help you understand your diagnosis and recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most proximal humerus fractures stay in good position and heal in a sling, followed by guided motion. Surgery is considered when the pieces have shifted significantly or the fracture involves the joint.
Many heal in a functional brace that supports the arm while allowing the elbow and shoulder to move. Surgery with a plate or nail is considered when alignment can't be held or other injuries are present.
Some complex fractures in older adults have pieces that are unlikely to heal well with plates and screws. A shoulder replacement, often a reverse shoulder replacement, may give a more reliable result in selected cases.
It depends on the fracture and the treatment. Motion is started as pain and healing allow, and your plan is reviewed at each visit.
Yes. A nerve that runs along the humerus controls lifting the wrist and fingers, and it can be affected by a shaft fracture. Mention any weakness or numbness at your visit.
Call (484) 526-1735 during office hours and say it is a new fracture. Same-day appointments are available for new fractures. Please ask for Dr. Hendel by name, because the same number schedules several St. Luke's orthopedic physicians. You can also schedule online through St. Luke's.
Referral requirements vary by insurance plan. Many plans allow direct access to orthopedic specialists, while others require a referral from your primary care physician. Office staff can verify your plan's requirements when you call to schedule.
Questions About a Broken Shoulder or Arm?
Visits are at 153 Brodhead Road, Rear Entrance, Bethlehem, PA 18017, for patients from Bethlehem, Allentown, and across the Lehigh Valley. New fracture? Same-day appointments. Call (484) 526-1735.
Call (484) 526-1735Schedule Online at St. Luke’s