A broken arm bone is referred to as a distal humerus fracture. It occurs at the bottom of the arm bone near the elbow joint after a traumatic event, such as a fall or motor vehicle accident.
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Arm Bone Fractures (Distal Humerus Fractures)
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 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.
Surgery for an arm bone fracture involves using metal plates and screws to stabilize the broken bone together. The size and shape of the plate used will vary depending on the fracture type and location.
During surgery for an arm bone fracture, an incision is made along the back of the elbow to access the end of the upper arm bone. This allows a surgeon to access the broken bone to stabilize the fracture with metal plates and screws.
