Fracture of Radius, Ulna,
and Humerus
Elizabeth Travis
Michael Snyder
AH 322
10-22-03
Causes of Radius and Ulna
Fractures
 Falling
on outstretched arm
 Direct blow
 Mountain biking
 Skateboarding
 Trauma
 Automobile accidents
 Child abuse
Types of Fractures

Nightstick fracture


Monteggia fracture


Defined as an isolated midshaft ulnar fracture
Defined as a fracture of the ulna (usually proximal
one third) with dislocation of the radial head.
Galeazzi fracture

Defined as a fracture of the distal one third of the
radius with dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint
(DRUJ).
Types Cont.

It is also known as a reverse Monteggia
fracture.
 Essex-Lopresti

fracture
This is defined as a fracture of the radial head
and dislocation of DRUJ, with partial or
complete disruption of radioulnar interosseous
membrane.
Types Cont.
 Closed

The bone is broken, but the skin is not
lacerated.
 Open


or simple fracture
or compound fracture
The skin may be pierced by the bone or by a
blow that breaks the skin at the time of the
fracture
The bone may or may not be visible in the
wound.
Types Cont.
 Transverse

The fracture is at right angles to the long axis
of the bone.
 Greenstick

fracture
fracture
Fracture on one side of the bone, causing a
bend on the other side of the bone.
 Comminuted

fracture
A fracture that results in three or more bone
fragments.
Types Cont.
Signs and Symptoms
 Most
of the time you will know if you have
a broken arm
 Snap or cracking sound
 Area will be tender and swollen
 Obvious deformity
 Decreased sensation or inability to move
the limb, which may indicate nerve
damage
Treatment
 External



plaster and fiberglass casts
cast-braces
splints
 Internal



fixation methods
fixation methods
metal plates
Pins
screws
VOLAR
ELBOW
Treatment Cont’
 Keep
your splint or cast clean and dry
 If possible, apply ice 2-3 times a day
 Keep your arm elevated above the heart
as much as possible to decrease swelling
 Take pain medicine as prescribed
Prognosis
 Earlier
treatment usually improves results
 Fractures in younger children and
adolescents tend to heal better
 Fractures that have multiple breaks,
involve a joint, have open wounds, or
become infected could have healing
complications.
Prognosis Cont’
 Older
adults have increased chance of
losing some ability or movement in the
broken arm.
 Chronic diseases such as osteoporosis
and diabetes may slow the healing
process.
Prevention
 Wear
appropriate personal safety
equipment as protection.
 Wear car seat belts
 Use wrist guards for in-line skating and
skateboarding
 Wear appropriate pads for contact sports
 Prevent and treat osteoporosis
References
 http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm
?Thread_ID=326&topcategory=Arm
 Huang, Enoch MD, MPH, Grims, Peter MD
“Forearm Fractures”
 Baniukiewied, Andrew P. MD, DiSandro,
Daniel MD “Broken Arm”
Questions
 1.
What is the difference between a closed
fracture and an open fracture?
 2. What are some external fixation
methods?
 3. What are some external fixation
methods?
 4. What is a comminuted fracture?
 5. Why do we call a greenstick fracture a
greenstick fracture?