Curriculum · Musculoskeletal / Orthopedic / Rheumatology
Humeral shaft fracture
What it is
Humeral fracture is divided into proximal, shaft and distal. The shaft fracture may be spiral, as in a spiral fracture of the proximal third of the humerus.
Causes and risk
A fall, direct trauma and FOOSH. High energy trauma such as MVC also produces it.
How it presents
The nerve affected is the radial nerve, and radial nerve injury gives wrist drop with loss of sensation over the dorsum of the hand. The level decides the nerve: the axillary nerve is more common in proximal shaft fractures, and the radial nerve is more common in mid and distal shaft fractures.