How is Humerus Fracture Treated With Immobilization

The humerus is the large bone in the upper arm. A broken (fractured) humerus is often treated by wearing a cast, splint, or sling (immobilization). This holds the broken pieces in place so they can heal.

Follow these instructions at home:

If you have a cast:

• Do not stick anything inside the cast to scratch your skin.
• Check the skin around the cast every day. Tell your doctor about any concerns. You may put lotion on dry skin around the edges of the cast. Do not put lotion on the skin underneath the cast.
• Keep the cast clean and dry as told by your doctor.

If you have a splint:

• Wear it as told by your doctor. Remove it only as told by your doctor.
• Loosen the splint if your fingers become numb and tingle, or if they turn cold and blue.
• Keep the splint clean and dry.

If you have a sling:

• Wear it as told by your doctor. Remove it only as told by your doctor.

Bathing

• Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your doctor says that you can. Ask your doctor if you can take showers. You may only be allowed to take sponge baths.
• If your cast or splint is not waterproof, cover it with a watertight plastic bag while you take a bath or a shower. Do not let the cast or splint get wet.
• If you have a sling, remove it for bathing only if your doctor says this is okay.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

• If directed, put ice on the injured area.
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times per day.
• Move your fingers often to avoid stiffness and to lessen swelling.
• Raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down.

Driving

• Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
• Do not drive while wearing a cast, splint, or sling on an arm that you use for driving.

Activity

• Return to your normal activities as told by your doctor. Ask your doctor what activities are safe for you.
• Do range-of-motion exercises only as told by your doctor.

General instructions

• Do not put pressure on any part of the cast or splint until it is fully hardened. This may take many hours.
• Do not use any tobacco products. These include cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or e-cigarettes. Tobacco can delay bone healing. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• You have any new pain, swelling, or bruising.
• Your pain, swelling, and bruising do not get better.
• Your cast, splint, or sling becomes loose or damaged.

Get help right away if:

• Your skin or fingers on your injured arm turn blue or gray.
• Your arm is cold or numb.
• You have very bad pain in your injured arm.