Sequelae of comminuted fracture of the humerus

Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
Updated on March 13, 2025
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Regarding the sequelae of comminuted fractures of the humerus, in clinical practice, if treatment for humerus comminuted fractures is proactive and patients diligently engage in functional exercises without any nerve damage, most patients will not experience any sequelae. However, if treatment is improper, a series of sequelae can often occur, mainly reflected in the following aspects:

First, if there is accompanying nerve damage that is very severe, it can cause patients to experience sensory disturbances or motor function impairments.

Second, poor repositioning of comminuted fractures can lead to nonunion or malunion of the fracture, affecting normal functions of the patient.

Third, long-term immobilization in the later stages can cause joint stiffness. When patients eventually start exercising, fear of pain may lead to insufficient exercise, resulting in very poor joint mobility, thereby affecting normal functions.

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Can a pelvic comminuted fracture cause paralysis?

A pelvic fracture generally includes avulsion fractures, in which the pelvis remains stable, while other types of fractures tend to be comminuted fractures. Whether paralysis occurs following such a fracture depends on whether there is nerve damage. If there is no significant nerve damage, paralysis is generally unlikely; however, if the fracture is accompanied by nerve damage, such as damage to the sacral nerves causing numbness and limited mobility, it may significantly impact function, especially of the lower limbs. Therefore, it is advised to seek treatment in the orthopedic department of a reputable hospital if a pelvic fracture occurs.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
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Can a lumbar crush fracture cause paralysis?

Whether a lumbar burst fracture will cause paralysis mainly depends on the severity of the comminution and whether the fracture fragments protrude into the vertebral foramen, compressing the nerves. If it is simply a comminuted fracture and the fragments do not protrude posteriorly and do not compress the nerve roots, then it will not cause paralysis of the lower limbs. However, if the fracture fragments protrude backwards and compress the spinal nerves, or even damage the spinal nerves, the patient may experience complete loss of muscle strength and sensation in both lower limbs. In this case, emergency surgery is required to relieve this compression and reduce the pressure on the nerves, thereby alleviating the symptoms. If lower limb paralysis occurs, long-term oral medication to nourish the nerves is needed to help the nerves gradually recover. Therefore, whether a fracture can cause paralysis mainly depends on whether the nerve is compressed by the fracture fragments. If there is compression, it will result in complete loss of muscle strength and sensation in the patient's lower limbs. (Please take medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)

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Orthopedics
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Post-traumatic sequelae of femoral head comminuted fracture

A comminuted fracture generally refers to a fracture with more than three fragments. When a comminuted fracture occurs in the femoral head, it is also a type of intra-articular comminuted fracture. Generally speaking, after the fracture is reduced and stabilized, there can be some damage to the joint surface as well, leading to unevenness of the joint surface and a higher chance of developing postoperative traumatic arthritis. There is also a possibility that the comminution of the femoral head fracture could affect the blood supply to the femoral head, leading to ischemic necrosis of the femoral head. After treatment for the fracture injury, there will inevitably be some impact on postoperative function. Therefore, after a comminuted fracture of the femoral head, the first sequelae to appear is usually traumatic arthritis, followed by ischemic necrosis of the femoral head, and thirdly, symptoms of restricted movement in the hip joint may occur.

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Written by Su Zhen Bo
Orthopedics
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Why are elderly people prone to fragility fractures?

In clinical settings, elderly individuals commonly experience comminuted fractures, primarily due to their reduced levels of physical activity, which can lead to the loss of proteins, calcium, minerals, and moisture in the bones. This reduces bone strength and density, and if they have osteoporosis, bones can easily break into pieces when subjected to external force. Therefore, it is crucial to apply proper treatment methods promptly after a comminuted fracture occurs. This can involve manual reduction, external fixation, or surgical treatment such as open reduction and internal fixation. Postoperatively, treatments like electrotherapy and physical therapy, along with oral calcium supplements and bone-healing medications, can facilitate recovery. Nutritionally, it is beneficial to consume foods rich in proteins and calcium to aid in the healing of fractures.

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How long does it take to walk normally after a comminuted patellar fracture?

If the surgery is performed without any issues, you can start normal knee flexion and extension exercises about three days after the surgery. Then, about a week later, you can begin walking with the aid of crutches. At six weeks post-surgery, you should return to the hospital for a follow-up. If there is continuous callus formation along the fracture line, you can walk normally. However, you need to be cautious at this time, as the fracture healing is not very solid, and it is best to avoid vigorous activities. Activities like running and jumping should be postponed until about three months later. Therefore, for patellar comminuted fractures, you can generally walk normally between six to twelve weeks after the surgery.