The humerus is the long bone in the upper arm that connects the shoulder joint to the elbow. The proximal epiphysis, the distal epiphysis (the two ends) and the diaphysis (the long central part) can be identified. If you've been in an accident, you may have a fractured humerus. If you think this has happened to you or a loved one, you must first understand what type of fracture it is, in order to splint the limb correctly. If you are the injured person, you should ask someone to help you while you wait for a doctor.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Identify the Type of Fracture
Step 1. Proximal fracture
This type of fracture damages the proximal epiphysis, that is, the one that engages in the shoulder joint. It causes the inability to move the shoulder.
If you can't move your shoulder you may have suffered a proximal humerus fracture
Step 2. Diaphyseal fracture
This type of injury can also damage the radial nerve in the arm which in turn causes a weakening of the wrist and hand. This type of fracture heals spontaneously without surgery if properly cared for.
If you experience weakness in your hand and wrist or are unable to grasp objects because the movement causes you intense pain, then you may have a fracture of the shaft of the humerus
Step 3. Distal fracture
This type of accident is much more common in children than in adults. It is a localized fracture near the elbow and must be treated surgically.
You may have a feeling of unsteadiness or weakness in the elbow
Step 4. Recognize the symptoms common to all humerus fractures
The broken area causes intense pain and shows the following signs:
- Swelling.
- Hematoma.
- Ache.
- Rigidity.
Method 2 of 5: Splint a Proximal Fracture
Step 1. Prepare all the materials
To immobilize the limb in the event of a proximal fracture, you need specific tools including a piece of rigid cardboard at least 1.5 cm thick. Also you need to get:
An elastic bandage, a tape measure, a pair of scissors, and at least one meter of fabric to create a support strap. In Method 5 we will explain how to make a shoulder strap
Step 2. Measure your arm circumference using the tape measure
Divide the value in half and you will get (roughly) the diameter. This data is used to calculate the width of the batten.
With the tape measure, measure the length of the humerus from 1.5 cm above the elbow to the shoulder
Step 3. Cut and place the cardboard stick
With scissors, cut a piece of cardboard according to the measurements you found in the previous step. Position the patient's arm so that the elbow is fully extended.
- Put the card under the injured arm, one end should be about 1.5cm from the elbow and the other should reach the shoulder.
- Fold the ends of the cardstock to cover about half of the arm. Ask a helper to hold the splint in place.
Step 4. Take the elastic bandage
Using the non-dominant hand, place the tip of the bandage approximately 1.5 cm above the patient's elbow. Then with your dominant hand, roll the bandage around your arm creating spirals that gradually rise towards the shoulder. Each round of wrapping must overlap the previous one halfway through.
Cut the elastic bandage with scissors and secure it with a hook
Method 3 of 5: Splint a Diaphyseal Fracture
Step 1. Measure the circumference of the patient's upper arm with the tape measure
Divide the value by two to get the diameter of the arm. This value is used to calculate the width of the batten. You also need to measure the length of the arm, from the elbow to the armpit.
To bandage a diaphyseal fracture, you need the same tools as for the proximal one. Then get yourself a piece of stiff cardboard, an elastic bandage, a tape measure, a pair of scissors and at least 1m of fabric to create a support strap
Step 2. Cut and place the splint
Based on the length and diameter of the arm, cut out a piece of cardboard. Ask the patient to straighten the elbow.
Place the cardboard under the injured arm so that one end is in the armpit and the other 1.5 cm from the elbow. Fold the cardboard so that it half covers the arm. Ask a helper to hold the splint in place
Step 3. Use an elastic bandage to secure the splint
Place the tip of the bandage 1.5 cm from the patient's elbow and wrap it in spirals until it reaches the armpit. At each turn, the bandage must overlap the previous spiral by half its width.
Cut the bandage using a pair of scissors and secure it with a hook
Method 4 of 5: Splint a Distal Fracture
Step 1. For this type of fracture you need a splint as long as the entire arm
It is a specific support that keeps the elbow stable from the forearm to well beyond the proximal section of the humerus, so as to avoid further damage.
Step 2. Find the circumference of the upper arm with the help of a tape measure
Wrap it around the patient's arm and take the data; divide the value by two and you will get the diameter. This will help you to know the width of the cue.
Again with the help of the tape measure, measure the distance between the transverse crease of the palm of the hand and a point 2/3 of the humerus. This data indicates how long the splint must be
Step 3. Place the cardboard splint on the patient's arm
With scissors, cut out a piece of stiff cardboard according to the measurements taken earlier. The patient should keep the elbow bent approximately 90 °. The thumb of the hand should be pointing upwards and the wrist should be slightly extended at about 10 ° -20 °.
Place the cardboard so that it is adherent to the whole arm, from the transverse crease of the palm up to 2/3 of the humerus. Ask someone to hold the splint while you proceed with the bandage
Step 4. Cut out a "U" in the elbow splint
You will notice that the splint forms a lump in the patient's elbow; eliminates the excess cardboard by making a "U" incision in order to eliminate any deformity of the splint.
Step 5. Wrap your arm with an elastic bandage
Place the end at the cross crease of the palm and wrap the arm in an upward spiraling motion. Make sure that with each step the bandage overlaps half of its width with the previous spiral. You need to go up to about 2/3 of the patient's humerus.
Cut the bandage and secure it with a hook or medical tape
Method 5 of 5: Check Blood Circulation and Create a Shoulder Strap
Step 1. Check blood circulation
Regardless of the type of fracture, you need to be sure that the bandage does not prevent blood from flowing into the injured arm. To do this, pinch the patient's fingernail on the hand corresponding to the injured limb for two seconds. If the nail turns pink within a couple of seconds of releasing it, circulation is good.
If the nail remains white for more than two seconds, then the bandage is too tight; To correct this problem, unwrap the bandage and start over
Step 2. Fold a cloth diagonally
This allows you to create a support strap. Place the injured limb in the center of the cloth and tie the two ends behind the patient's neck. The arm should be bent 90 degrees.
- Alternatively, you can buy a specific shoulder strap at the pharmacy.
- Try to move your arm gently when putting it in the shoulder strap to minimize pain for the patient.
Step 3. Tie both ends of the shoulder strap behind your neck as securely as possible
Adjust the height and tension of the shoulder strap to ensure comfort for the injured and immobility of the limb at the same time.
