What is a humeral fracture brace?
A Humeral Fracture Brace, also known as a Sarmiento Brace) is used to stabilize a fracture in the upper arm while allowing motion in the forearm and hand. The brace promotes fracture healing by compressing the soft tissue in the arm to limit its motion.
How does Sarmiento brace work?
How does it work? Promoting the recovery of humerus fractures, the Sarmiento brace compresses your surrounding muscles and soft tissues. Its cylinder-shape provides a stabilizing force equal in all directions (circumferential compression), which limits motion at the fracture site so it can heal correctly.
How do you splint a fracture?
A basic rule of splinting is that the joint above and below the broken bone should be immobilized to protect the fracture site. For example, if the lower leg is broken, the splint should immobilize both the ankle and the knee. Pulses and sensation should be checked below the splint at least once per hour.
How do you wear a humerus brace?
With the braced arm, try to use the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder as much as possible. The brace should be worn snuggly, but not so tight as to be uncomfortable. Do not remove the brace unless instructed to do so by the doctor or orthotist.
When do you wear a Sarmiento brace?
Your orthopaedic surgeon will switch you from your splint to an adjustable brace (called a Sarmiento brace) at around 1-3 weeks after your injury. This brace is typically worn full time for at least 6 weeks and possibly up to 12 weeks.
What is the most common site of fracture in the humerus?
The most frequently fractured site of the humerus especially in elderly is the surgical neck which is an area of constriction distal to the tuberosities.
Is a cast or splint better?
A cast is not always better than a splint. They both do a good job of immobilizing a broken bone or an injured area. The severity of the fracture will help determine if a cast or splint is the better treatment option.
What is healing time for humerus fracture?
Healing Time and Complications of a Humeral Shaft Fracture. Healing of a mid-shaft humerus fracture takes several months but often exercises to improve the mobility of the shoulder and elbow joints are initiated much sooner. The two complications often seen are injuries to the radial nerve and nonunion of the fracture.
What is treatment for humerus fracture?
Treatment of Humeral Shaft Fractures. There are several treatment options for these fractures, but the most common are non-surgical treatments. Fortunately, gravity works wonders to align the humerus, and simply allowing the arm to hang by the side is often the best treatment for a humerus fracture.
How to splint a humerus fracture?
Humerus shaft fracture should be stabilized using a coaptation splint. Wrap splinting material snugly from axilla to nape of neck, creating a stirrup around the elbow. Fracture reduction is usually not necessary because reduction is difficult to maintain.
What do they do for a broken humerus?
The options for surgery include realigning the bone fragments and holding them in position with metal implants, or a shoulder replacement procedure is performed. If the fragments of bone can be fixed, either pins, screws, wires, large sutures, or a plate will be used to hold the bones in place.