A broken upper arm bone is referred to as a proximal humerus fracture. It occurs near the shoulder joint after a traumatic event, such as a fall or motor vehicle accident.
Upper Arm Bone Fractures (Proximal Humerus Fractures)
Upper arm bone fractures can be simple or complex and require careful evaluation by a health care provider. X-rays help determine if surgical or nonsurgical treatment is needed.
Some upper arm bone fractures do not need surgery and can be monitored with x-rays as they heal. If surgery is needed, the type of fracture will help determine which surgical treatment is best.
A metal plate and screws can be used to hold the broken bone in place to stabilize an upper arm bone fracture. Or, a reverse total shoulder replacement can be performed. This surgery replaces the shoulder joint, including the upper arm bone, with metal and plastic implants.
To repair an upper arm bone fracture, an incision will be made along the front of the shoulder. This allows the surgeon to access the fracture to repair or replace the broken bone.
