eMedicine Specialties > Orthopedic Surgery > Hand & Upper Extremity

Midshaft Humerus Fractures: Workup

Author: Matthew W Lawless, MD, Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Wright State University School of Medicine; Consulting Surgeon, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Miami Valley Hospital and Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jan 8, 2008

Workup

Imaging Studies

  • Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs should be obtained first. These should be taken at 90° angles to each other. To obtain these radiographs, move the patient rather than rotate the injured limb through the fracture site. The shoulder and elbow should be included on each radiograph. Traction radiographs may be helpful with comminuted or severely displaced fractures, and comparison radiographs of the contralateral side may be helpful for determining preoperative length.4,5
  • Computed tomography (CT) scanning is rarely indicated.4

More on Midshaft Humerus Fractures

Overview: Midshaft Humerus Fractures
Workup: Midshaft Humerus Fractures
Treatment: Midshaft Humerus Fractures
Follow-up: Midshaft Humerus Fractures
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

humerus fracture, humeral fracture, humeral diaphyseal fracture, humeral shaft fracture, elbow fracture, forearm fracture, broken arm

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Matthew W Lawless, MD, Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Wright State University School of Medicine; Consulting Surgeon, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Miami Valley Hospital and Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Matthew W Lawless, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Michael S Clarke, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine
Michael S Clarke, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for Hand Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, Arthroscopy Association of North America, Clinical Orthopaedic Society, Mid-Central States Orthopaedic Society, and Missouri State Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

Michael Yaszemski, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Bioengineering, Mayo Foundation, Mayo Medical School
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS, Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School; Chief of Arthroscopic Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital
Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, American College of International Physicians, and American College of Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Harris Gellman, MD, Consulting Surgeon, Broward Hand Center; Voluntary Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Plastic Surgery, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine
Harris Gellman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and Arkansas Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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