A proximal humerus fracture is a break at the top of your arm bone, near the ball of the shoulder joint. This injury is common in older adults due to falls, but it also occurs in younger patients following high-energy trauma like sports collisions or car accidents.
The symptoms are often severe and localized to the uppermost part of the arm.
Severe Pain: Immediate, sharp pain that makes it difficult to move the arm.
Rapid Swelling and Bruising: Significant bruising often develops quickly and may spread down the arm or to the chest over several days.
Deformity: The upper arm may look shortened or "out of place."
Numbness: You may feel numbness on the outside of the shoulder.
X-rays: Taken from multiple angles to see the displacement of the bone fragments.
CT Scan: May be required for complex breaks to obtain a more detailed evaluation.
The goal is to ensure the bone heals in a position that allows for overhead movement.
Non-Surgical: If the bone pieces haven't moved far out of place, the arm is immobilized in a sling. Physical therapy starts with very gentle "pendulum" swings to prevent stiffness.
Surgery: For displaced fractures surgery may be needed to restore and maintain adequate function.