Can fracture of the upper arm be resolved by traditional conservative treatment?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 48-year-old female. While coming out of the bathroom I fell and broke my left upper arm middle third shaft and the humerus got displaced in the last month. I went to the hospital there doctor did an X-ray and gave first aid. The doctor gave two choices one is ORIF surgery another was three months of plaster of Paris immobilization without surgery. We are very confused that the neighbors around us confused us, even more, to go for a conservative method of treatment Puttur Kattu (traditional bone setters place). So we went there for two weeks. They did something like the reduction method since it is a displaced fracture and put a bandage with some bamboo sticks which is similar to a splint and said to keep my elbow bent and not to move my upper arm. Now I have no pain in the affected area but I have pain in the elbow joint as I kept my hand bent and I cannot bear a heavy bandage. What do we have to do doctor? Everybody confused us. I am attaching the X-ray that I took when I fell and the other one two weeks later. Another X-ray that I took two weeks later of the bone fracture showed the bone came to the correct position. Will this cure itself by conservative method or do we have to do the treatment? If it gets cured by a conservative method how long it will take to heal to come back to normal?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have seen the reports attached (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). There is a midshaft humerus fracture and alignment seems to be fine. The doctor told you the right thing. It can be managed surgically and conservatively too. My principle in my practice is, in young patients till 60 years of age, I suggest for surgery because it helps in early mobilization and early return to work. In old individuals, I prefer conservative management because most of them are retired and are not going to get affected by six to twelve weeks of plaster. In your case, you have already passed three weeks since your injury. So I would suggest you get a proper plaster done instead of going to quack and waiting for another three weeks and then looking if the bone has united or not. If it is not uniting, go for surgery. If uniting, continue plaster.

Thank you.