Healing and Treatment of Arm Bones

Human vs Avian

Dia Krylova

Carpal Bones

Humerus

Radius

Ulna

Metacarpals

Proximal Phalanges

Middle Phalanges

Distal Phalanges

Ulna

Radius

Humerus

Metacarpals

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Alula

Phalanges

Wrist(Carpal)

1. Triquetrum

2. Pisiform

3. Hamate

4. Capitate

5. Trapezoid

6. Lunate

7. Scaphoid

8. Trapezium

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2

3

4

5

6

7

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Fractures in Humans

• Fractures can happen because of injuries, diseases, or genetic issues.
• For humans, the most common fractures occur in the wrist, ankle, and hips.
• Most common treatment can include a plaster cast which immobilizes the bone, or a surgically inserted rod or implant.
• In adults, radius fractures are the most common fractures, and are mostly caused by a fall onto an outstretched hand
• Hand fractures are usually caused by a direct blow or crushing injury. Vehicle crashes can cause bones in the hand to severely break and often require surgical repair.
• Hand and wrist fractures often heal in 4-6 weeks, whereas a fracture in a larger bone might take 20 weeks or more.
• Splints are not a common way to heal fractured bones in humans; using a cast, screws, or rods are usually effective in most scenarios.
• The most common cause of fractures in the arm for humans is falling, while the next most common cause are injuries relating to sports.

Humerus

Most commonly, the humerus is broken after a crash or accident, or even from a simple fall. In most cases a fractured humerus will take three to four months to fully heal over. Depending on the type of fracture and the conditions under which it occurred, surgery might not be needed. In some situations, a sling, brace, or immobilizer might be the only treatment needed, while in more major occasions a surgery would be the best treatment plan.

Radius/Ulna

Surgery is always required for a fractured radius, however an isolated ulna fracture could heal without an operation. For a broken ulna, a cast would be needed for 4-6 weeks, and afterwards physical therapy would be needed to regain full use of the forearm. Surgery on the forearm involves reducing the fracture and having plates and screws hold the broken parts of the bones together. After surgery, a splint would be required to protect the arm and to provide comfort for the patient. A patient s not allowed to lift weights or any heavy objects for six weeks after surgery.

Metacarpals

The metacarpals are most commonly broken from a sports injury, blunt trauma, traffic accidents, or after punching a hard object. Fractures in the metacarpals take six to eight weeks to heal, and the typical treatment involves wearing a splint. The splint would cover part of the patient’s fingers, and both the hand and wrist. The splint would be needed for at least three weeks, and afterwards physical therapy would be the next course of action. If the fingers do not line up properly or if the bone pieces have moved, surgery would be required.

Phalanges

Fractures in the phalanges are one of the most common and some of the easiest bones to fracture. Jamming a finger in a car door or drawer, falling onto your hand, or even catching a baseball are all very frequent ways to fracture a phalange in your hand. In such a small location, it is vital to keep the soft tissue safe from damage since injured soft tissue could lead to stiffness and deformity. Because of this, surgery is usually not recommended. Splinting and taping the injured finger to an adjacent digit are typically the easiest way to heal a fractured phalange without causing any further damage.

Fractures in Birds

• The most common fractures in birds are located in the humerus and shin bone.
• Birds heal faster than most mammals, meaning bones can be perfectly healed after only 3-4 weeks after the initial damage takes place.
• The most common cause of fractures is high-impact blunt trauma- typically because of collisions into vehicles or buildings.
• Fractures may become worse when the broken bone becomes infected. The most common bone infection in birds is osteomyelitis.
• Splints are the easiest and one of the best ways to treat a fracture in a bird wing.
• Physical therapy is used to heal bird fractures, just like it is used with humans!
• Bird bones are hollow and full of calcium, however, if there is too much calcium in the bones, they become brittle and fractures are more likely to occur.
• In smaller birds, splints are usually the only treatment needed for fractures, however in larger birds the veterinarian might have to surgically implant supports into the bone.
• Birds in the wild are very likely to survive after breaking or fracturing a bone in the wing.

Humerus

Surgery is typically the best option for a fractured humerus, however, taping the wing to the body is the next recommended course of action for anyone who is unable to provide surgery for the bird. Some specialists say a full body wrap for a fractured humerus also yields good results. For the humerus to heal properly, both bone ends must be in line and touching. If they are not, it is typically best to euthanize the bird.

Radius/Ulna

Since these bones are so close together, if one breaks or fractures, no splint or cast is needed. It is usually said that the other bone acts as support for the broken one, whether it be the radius or ulna, however some experts believe that if the ulna is broken, using a flat support under the wing will help the bones heal faster. If both the radius and ulna are broken in line across the wing, there is usually severe damage to the soft tissue, and might be impossible to mend. However, if both bones are broken off set from one another, the wing will most likely heal fine with just a simple splint.

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Metacarpals

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This area is very difficult to mend in small birds, since the bones are smaller and nearly impossible to align perfectly without causing further damage. The bird is highly likely to die during a professional procedure or surgery, so they are typically euthanized after a severe injury involving the metacarpals. However, in larger birds, simple fractures are likely to heal with a splint. Compound fractures are more difficult, and usually end badly. There are small joints in the wrist that are also likely to not heal properly if fractured or broken.