Exercises for humeral shaft fracture

The following information is designed to optimise the healing process and prevent secondary problems of stiffness of joints during your recovery.

You must always wear your humeral brace even when completing your exercises, unless recommended otherwise by your healthcare professional. However, you will need to undo the collar and cuff section around your neck and wrist to complete the exercises. Please see the information leaflet provided to you by the multi-professional fracture clinic for more information regarding your brace.

The number of times to do each exercise can vary for individuals depending on symptoms and recovery. We recommend as a guide three sessions of the exercises every day; five to ten repetitions of each exercise per session and hold stretches for approximately five seconds.

If you need more guidance on how to do these exercises there is a video recording on the Addenbrooke’s website under physiotherapy patient videos or contact the physiotherapy department on 01223 216633.

Exercises to start immediately

Keep your arm supported on a table or cushion so your upper arm/ shoulders are relaxed.

Wrist and hand exercises

1) Practice making a fist and stretching your fingers out straight regularly. You can also squeeze a soft ball or a rolled-up towel as an exercise for some resistance.

2) Stretch your hand fully up towards the ceiling and down towards the floor.

Elbow exercises

3) Keep your upper arm and shoulder relaxed. Bend and straighten your arm fully. Hold for a few seconds in each direction.

4) Turn your palm to the ceiling and turn your palm down to the floor; keep your upper arm relaxed by your side.

Shoulder exercises

5) Practice a small rolling movement of your shoulders up and back, opening your chest and drawing your shoulder blades gently together.

6) Support your fractured arm with your unaffected arm. Keep your upper arm as relaxed and supported as possible. Let the arm hang. Sway your body, giving the arm a gentle swing forwards and backwards and side to side.

Exercises to start four to six weeks post-injury

1) Sitting with your arms supported on a table in front of you, slide your arm forwards for a gentle stretch. If you place a towel on a bin bag you may find it easier to slide. Do not force the stretch.

2) Hold your affected arm with your unaffected arm and help lift it up and back behind you. Keep your affected arm as relaxed and supported as possible.