Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooHumerus Fracture

Fractures of the top of the humerus are also reasonably common. This is the part near the humeral head, which is basically the ball of the shoulder joint (Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, 2026).

Many of these injuries happen from a fall, including during sports. In older people whose bones have been weakened by osteoporosis, a fracture can happen even after a minor fall (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

• The distal humerus is the lower end of the humerus, which forms the upper part of the elbow hinge.
• The radial head is the knobby end of the radius. It glides along the front of the distal humerus when you bend your arm and rotates when you turn your wrist up or down.
• The olecranon is the part of the ulna that cups the lower end of the humerus, creating a hinge for elbow movement.

(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.)

At the top end of the humerus is your shoulder joint, which is made up of a ball and socket, the ball being the humeral head, and the socket being part of the shoulder blade.

If you suspect a fractured humerus, you must go to hospital for further examination, and the doctor will usually X-ray your arm (NHS, 2026).

1. Sling or Splint

Many fractures of the top of the humerus don't need surgery and can be treated in a sling for comfort. For these fractures, gentle early movement, as advised by the hospital team, helps reduce stiffness (Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, 2026). Some distal humerus fractures can be treated in a splint or sling, with X-rays to check the bone stays in place, but most need surgery (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

2. Physical Therapy

Once your hospital team says it is safe to start, I can support your rehabilitation with hands-on work and exercise to ease stiffness and rebuild strength in your shoulder and elbow. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

Long periods in a splint or cast can leave the elbow very stiff, so a longer period of physical therapy may be needed to regain movement (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). A physiotherapist can help with stiffness and weakness, although these can sometimes last several months (NHS, 2026).

3. Surgery

See the list below. Your surgical team will tell you what exercises to do afterwards and how long to avoid lifting, pushing or pulling with the injured arm (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

Options outside my scope

• Splint, cast or sling: the hospital may use one of these to hold the arm while the bone heals (NHS, 2026).
• Surgery: for more complicated fractures, an operation can put the broken pieces back in position and hold them with plates and screws (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

• Easing the neck, shoulder and back muscles that work overtime while your arm is protected
• Help with swelling and stiffness, within the limits your hospital team sets
• Rebuilding strength for everyday tasks once you're cleared

• Work on the neck, upper back and other shoulder, which take extra strain while you use one arm
• Gentle lymphatic drainage to help with swelling in the arm and hand, away from the fracture
• Moving your hand, wrist and other joints within the range your team allows

• Hands-on work for tight muscles around the shoulder and elbow, and the scar once it has healed if you had surgery
• Gentle joint mobilisation and stretching for stiffness, only once your doctor confirms the bone has healed
• Strength work from gentle holds to resistance bands, then gym-based work if you lift

I don't use heat over metal plates or screws. For new numbness or weakness in your hand, or pain or swelling that keeps getting worse, contact your surgeon or doctor (see When to get emergency help).