Humerus Rehab

This application is a general rehabilitation application that provides a wide range of exercises to be done by a person who has suffered a humerus fracture injury. To ensure that the application is safe and effective for you, it should be performed under your doctors or physical therapists supervision. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about which exercises will best help you meet your rehabilitation goals. The humerus is the arm bone between your shoulder and your elbow. There are two types of humerus fractures based on the location of the break(s).Trauma from a fall or accident are often the cause of this type of fracture.Treatment varies depending on the type and severity of the break but may include the use of a sling, brace, splint or cast and/or surgery.The humerus — also known as the upper arm bone — is a long bone that runs from the shoulder and scapula (shoulder blade) to the elbow. Fractures of the humerus are classified in one of two ways: proximal humerus fracture or humerus shaft fracture.A proximal humerus fracture, usually occurs close to the shoulder joint and can be located at different levels with different fracture patterns: simple or comminuted. A humerus shaft fracture, on the other hand, is one that is localized at the mid portion of the upper arm.A broken arm is a common injury and is usually a consequence of a fall with an outstretched hand, a car crash or some other type of accident.A humerus shaft fracture may be treated with or without surgery, depending on the fracture pattern and associated injuries (i.e., nerve injury or open fracture).A temporary splint extending from the shoulder to the forearm and holding the elbow bent at 90 degrees can be used for the initial management of the fracture.Nonoperative treatment usually includes the placement of fracture bracing that will be replaced by a cylindrical brace (Sarmiento brace) three to four weeks later that fits the upper arm while leaving the elbow free. The doctor will tell you how long to wear the cast or splint and will remove it at the right time. It may take several weeks to several months for the broken arm to heal completely. Rehabilitation involves gradually increasing activities to restore muscle strength, joint motion and flexibility. The patient’s cooperation is essential for the rehabilitation process. The patient must complete range of motion, strengthening and other exercises prescribed by the doctor on a daily basis. Rehabilitation will continue until the muscles, ligaments and other soft tissues perform normally. Surgery usually involves internal fixation of the fragments with plates, screws or a nail. The rehabilitation differs slightly from nonoperative treatment, with no splints or cast. The patient is usually given a sling for comfort and arm support. Elbow exercises may be started immediately after surgery, while shoulder exercises may be delayed for a few weeks based on the fracture pattern. You should not experience any pain during an exercise. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist when you have any pain during exercising. Broken humerus injuries vary significantly in severity. This application was made as a guide to a humerus fracture rehabilitation program and we strongly recommend any user of this application to consult and follow his/her doctors or physical therapists specific instructions on how to exercise based on his/her humerus fracture. Kindly note this rehabilitation programme is meant for non-surgical injuries. Injuries that require surgical intervention will be followed by a specific rehabilitation protocol as per your doctors or physical therapists instructions.