Most fractures of the proximal humerus can be treated without surgery when bone fragments are not shifted out of position (displaced). However, if the fragments are shifted out of position, surgery is usually required. Surgery usually involves fixation of the fracture fragments with plates, screws, or pins or it involves shoulder replacement.
A broken collarbone (fractured clavicle) is a common injury among children and athletes. Many babies are born with collarbones that break during the passage down the birth canal. The collarbone is considered part of the shoulder. It helps connect the arm to the body. Most breaks of the collarbone occur in the middle section.
Hip fractures most commonly occur from a fall or from a direct blow to the side of the hip. Some medical conditions such as osteoporosis, cancer, or stress injuries can weaken the bone and make the hip more susceptible to breaking. The type of surgery used to treat a hip fracture is primarily based on the bones and soft tissues affected or on the level of the fracture.
A fracture, or break, in the bone of the upper part of the lower leg (fibula, or shin bone) may result from a low-energy injury, such as a fall from a height, or from a high-energy injury, such as a motor vehicle accident. The soft tissues (skin, muscle, nerves, blood vessels, and ligaments) also may be injured at the time of the fracture.
A broken ankle is also known as an ankle “fracture.” This means that one or more of the bones that make up the ankle joint are separated into pieces. There may be ligaments damaged as well. A fractured ankle can range from a simple break in one bone, which may not stop you from walking, to several fractures, which forces your ankle out of place and may require that you not put weight on it for three months.