Upper Arm Fractures – Expert Care to Restore Strength and Function
Overview
A fractured upper arm can be painful, limiting, and life-disrupting — whether caused by a fall, accident, or direct impact. The upper arm bone, called the humerus, connects the shoulder to the elbow and plays a critical role in lifting, reaching, and stabilizing movement.
When this bone breaks, patients often experience immediate pain, swelling, and restricted mobility.
At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, we specialize in diagnosing and treating upper arm fractures using advanced orthopedic techniques to promote healing and restore full motion.
Serving Pearland, Houston, Friendswood, and Southeast Texas, Dr. Robert L. Burke, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, provides personalized care for every patient — from initial diagnosis to complete rehabilitation.
Understanding Upper Arm Fractures
The humerus bone can fracture in several locations:
- Proximal Humerus Fracture: Near the shoulder joint — common in older adults or after falls.
- Mid-Shaft Humerus Fracture: In the middle of the bone, often from direct trauma or sports injuries.
- Arthritis in the shoulder joint
- Free medicine delivery
- Enjoy many discounts in fees
- Information for any disease
The severity of a fracture depends on how displaced (separated) or comminuted (fragmented) the bone pieces are. Proper evaluation is critical to ensure alignment and prevent long-term complications such as stiffness, nerve injury, or chronic weakness
Common Causes and Risk Factors
- Falls onto an outstretched hand or elbow
- Direct trauma from car accidents, sports, or work injuries
- High-impact collisions
- Osteoporosis or bone thinning in older adults
- Twisting injuries during physical activity
- Free medicine delivery
- Enjoy many discounts in fees
- Information for any disease
Risk Factors:
- Advanced age and reduced bone density
- Repetitive stress on weakened bones
- Previous shoulder or rotator cuff injury
- Poor balance or coordination (leading to falls)
- Previous fractures or chronic joint conditions
- Free medicine delivery
- Enjoy many discounts in fees
- Information for any disease
Understanding the cause helps guide Dr. Burke’s personalized treatment plan for safe recovery.
Symptoms
- Severe pain immediately after injury
- Swelling and bruising around the upper arm or shoulder
- Deformity or abnormal positioning of the arm
- Inability to move or lift the arm
- Numbness or tingling if nerves are affected
- Free medicine delivery
- Enjoy many discounts in fees
- Information for any disease
Diagnosis
At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, Dr. Robert L. Burke performs a detailed examination to determine the fracture type and best treatment approach. Diagnostic process includes:- Medical history review: Understanding how the injury occurred and previous bone or joint issues.
- Free medicine delivery
- Enjoy many discounts in fees
- Information for any disease
Physical examination:
- Assessing deformity, swelling, and range of motion.
- Checking for nerve or vascular compromise.
- Free medicine delivery
- Enjoy many discounts in fees
- Information for any disease
Imaging:
- X-rays for precise fracture visualization and alignment assessment.
- CT scans or MRI for complex or multi-fragmented fractures.
- Free medicine delivery
- Enjoy many discounts in fees
- Information for any disease
This comprehensive assessment allows for a precise treatment plan focused on bone healing and mobility restoration.
Treatment Options at Dr. Burke Orthopedics
Treatment depends on the fracture’s location, alignment, and severity. The goal is to stabilize the bone, promote healing, and preserve shoulder and elbow function.
Non-Surgical Treatments
Many upper arm fractures can heal without surgery when bones remain properly aligned.
Conservative treatment may include:
Immobilization:
- Using a sling, brace, or functional cast to support the arm during healing.
- Free medicine delivery
Pain management:
- Anti-inflammatory medications and ice therapy.
- Free medicine delivery
- Enjoy many discounts in fees
- Information for any disease
Early mobility:
- Gentle motion exercises once healing begins to prevent stiffness.
- Free medicine delivery
- Enjoy many discounts in fees
- Information for any disease
- Gradual strengthening and flexibility restoration.
- Shoulder and elbow range-of-motion training.
- Posture correction and balance exercises to prevent reinjury.
- Free medicine delivery
- Enjoy many discounts in fees
- Information for any disease
Most stable fractures show improvement within 6–8 weeks with this approach.
Surgical Treatments
For complex or displaced fractures, Dr. Burke may recommend surgical repair to restore bone alignment and function.
Surgical options include:
- Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF)
- Plates, screws, or rods are used to stabilize and align the bone fragments.
- Free medicine delivery
- Enjoy many discounts in fees
- Information for any disease
Intramedullary Nailing:
- A rod inserted into the bone’s center to support healing from within.
- Free medicine delivery
- Enjoy many discounts in fees
- Information for any disease
- For severe fractures or bone loss, Dr. Burke restores structural integrity and joint stability.
- Free medicine delivery
- Enjoy many discounts in fees
- Information for any disease
Post-surgery recovery usually involves wearing a sling followed by guided therapy to prevent stiffness and strengthen the muscles.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Recovery timelines vary depending on the injury’s severity and treatment method.
Typical recovery periods:
- Non-surgical fractures: 6–8 weeks for bone healing; full strength returns over several months.
- Surgical cases: 8–12 weeks or longer for recovery with structured physical therapy.
- Free medicine delivery
- Enjoy many discounts in fees
- Information for any disease
Rehabilitation focuses on:
- Preventing stiffness and regaining range of motion.
- Strengthening the shoulder, arm, and elbow muscles.
- Restoring coordination for lifting and reaching activities.
- Ensuring proper posture and joint alignment during healing
- Free medicine delivery
- Enjoy many discounts in fees
- Information for any disease
Full functional recovery may take 3–6 months, depending on individual healing rates.
Long-Term Outlook and Prevention
With prompt and proper treatment, most patients make a complete recovery and return to normal activities.
Untreated or poorly aligned fractures, however, can lead to:
- Persistent pain or weakness
- Shoulder stiffness
- Nerve irritation (radial nerve involvement)
- Malunion or delayed healing
- Free medicine delivery
- Enjoy many discounts in fees
- Information for any disease
Dr. Burke’s patient-centered approach minimizes these risks through close follow-up, advanced imaging, and customized therapy protocols.
Prevention Tips
To reduce your risk of upper arm fractures:
- Maintain strong bones with calcium and vitamin D intake.
- Engage in weight-bearing and balance exercises.
- Wear protective gear during sports.
- Address fall risks at home (e.g., clutter or poor lighting)
- Free medicine delivery
- Enjoy many discounts in fees
- Information for any disease
These small steps help protect bone integrity and joint stability long-term.
When to Seek Immediate Care
Call Dr. Burke Orthopedics or visit an emergency center if you experience:
- Severe upper arm or shoulder pain after trauma
- Visible deformity or inability to move the arm
- Numbness, tingling, or loss of hand function
- Deep bruising or rapid swelling
- Free medicine delivery
- Enjoy many discounts in fees
- Information for any disease
Expert Orthopedic Care for Upper Arm Fractures in Pearland & Houston
A fractured upper arm can be challenging — but with the right care, healing is within reach.
At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, we combine advanced diagnostics, modern surgical techniques, and guided rehabilitation to help patients recover faster and stronger.
Call (713) 436-3488 or Request an Appointment Online
Serving Pearland, Houston, Friendswood, and Southeast Texas — trusted orthopedic excellence, close to home.
