Fractures of the upper end of the humerus are common in trauma of the upper limb (second row after wrist fractures).
There are several types according to the location of the fracture line (s) (importance for medical or surgical management)
- fractures of the tuberosities on which tendons of the rotator cuff are inserted
- the so-called fractures of the surgical neck of the humerus, under the glenohumeral joint
- fractures of the anatomical neck of the humerus separating the humeral head from the rest of the humerus, intra-articular fracture
- complex fractures associating several of the aforementioned types called fractures with 3 or four main fragments.