How Common Is Humerus Surgery?

Humerus surgery is required only when a major fracture occurs, making it a relatively rare solution for upper arm injuries. In most cases, the bone heals as long as the arm is kept sufficiently immobile. Individuals more prone to humerus injuries include athletes, children, and employees of blue-collar professions. Some patients might need humerus surgery if x-rays reveal parts of bone matter breaking off and traveling away from the main bone. Humerus surgery can also be used to remove malignant parts of a cancer-infected bone.

There are three general types of humerus fractures, with each possibly requiring surgery: proximal, distal, and mid-shaft. Proximal fractures are located on the end of the humerus near the shoulder joint, while distal fractures are found near the elbow. Proximal and distal fractures can be sub-categorized as growth plate fractures, in which growing bone tissue at the end of the bone is broken. Fractures in the growth plate of the humerus occur only in children and adolescents, with roughly 33 percent of cases resulting from athletic injuries. A mid-shaft humerus fracture occurs closer to the medial part of the bone and rarely requires surgical intervention.

Proximal humerus fractures account for roughly 5 percent of all fracture cases, whereas distal humerus fractures make up 3 percent of cases. Supracondylar humerus fractures, in which the area of the humerus directly connected to the elbow breaks, constitute less than 0.35 percent of distal humerus fractures. This type of elbow fracture is one of the few injuries that require humerus surgery.

Mid-shaft humerus fractures only need surgery in two cases: if the pieces of broken bone are too far separated to be realigned with the help of a brace and if smaller parts of bone matter break off. The former case can be observed without the aid of any equipment if the area of injury shows abnormally large bruising and internal hemorrhaging, or if the bone is exposed through the skin. The latter case can only be detected with the help of x-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Regardless of the type of injury, experts recommend that all patients get x-ray scans if they suspect a fracture.

Humerus surgery is also an option for bone cancer treatment if the condition has spread to the upper arm. Surgeons remove infected portions of the humerus and replace it with prostheses in an attempt to prevent the cancer from spreading. This is only done, however, as a last resort; in most cases, doctors attempt to remove the cancer through chemotherapy.