Arm Fracture Surgery in Singapore
Medically reviewed by Dr Poh Keng Soon, Orthopaedic Surgeon, MRCS (Edinburgh), MMed (Orthopaedic Surgery), FRCS (Edinburgh), 28 October 2026
A broken arm may involve the upper arm bone (humerus) or the forearm bones (radius and ulna). While many fractures can heal with a cast, splint or brace, displaced, unstable or joint-involving fractures may require surgery. If you have sustained a humerus fracture near the shoulder or elbow, consult Dr. Poh Keng Soon, an orthopaedic surgeon with fellowship training in sports, shoulder and elbow surgery, for an assessment of your injury and surgical treatment options.
Types of Arm Fractures
Arm fractures are classified according to the location of the break, with four main types:
Proximal Humerus Fractures
Proximal humerus fractures affect the upper end of the humerus near the shoulder joint. These shoulder fractures are classified according to the number and displacement of bone fragments, including two-part, three-part and four-part fractures.
Humeral Shaft Fractures
Humeral shaft fractures occur along the middle section of the upper arm bone, often following a direct impact or twisting injury. The fracture may be transverse, oblique or spiral, and can sometimes involve injury to the radial nerve, affecting wrist or finger movement.
Distal Humerus Fractures
Distal humerus fractures occur at the lower end of the upper arm bone, where it forms part of the elbow joint. These elbow fractures may involve the joint surface, causing pain, swelling and restricted elbow movement.
Forearm Fractures
Forearm fractures affect the radius, ulna or both bones and may occur near the wrist, along the forearm shaft or near the elbow. Fractures involving the shafts can affect forearm rotation, making it difficult to turn the palm upwards or downwards.
Causes and Symptoms of a Broken Arm
Arm fractures commonly occur following falls, sports injuries or road traffic accidents. People with osteoporosis may also sustain fractures after minor falls because weakened bones are more susceptible to injury.
Common symptoms of a broken arm include:
• Pain and tenderness around the injured area
• Swelling and bruising
• Visible deformity, such as an arm appearing bent or crooked
• Difficulty moving or using the affected arm
When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention: Visit an emergency department immediately if there is an open wound over the suspected fracture, numbness or weakness in the hand, or a change in hand colour. These symptoms may indicate nerve or blood vessel damage requiring urgent assessment.
How an Arm Fracture Is Diagnosed
Dr. Poh reviews the history of your injury and performs a physical examination, including checks of nerve function and blood circulation in the hand. Diagnostic imaging is leveraged to identify the fracture, assess bone alignment and determine whether surgery may be necessary.
Depending on the clinical findings, investigations may include:
• X-ray: Identifies the fracture location, assesses bone alignment and shows whether the bone fragments have moved out of position.
• CT Scan: May be used to examine complex fractures involving the shoulder or elbow joint, providing further detail about bone fragments and joint involvement.
When Does an Arm Fracture Need Surgery?
Many arm fractures can heal without surgery using a cast, splint or brace, provided the broken bones remain adequately aligned and stable. Surgery may be recommended in the following circumstances:
• Significant Displacement: The bone fragments are out of alignment or cannot be maintained in an acceptable position.
• Open Fracture: A wound exposes the fracture to the outside environment, requiring urgent hospital treatment.
• Joint Involvement: Displaced fractures extending into the shoulder or elbow joint may require fixation to restore joint alignment.
• Displaced Forearm Fracture: Surgery is recommended when either the radius or ulna has significant displacement, as improper bone alignment can interfere with forearm rotation.
• Nerve or Blood Vessel Injury: Associated vascular damage or suspected nerve entrapment may require urgent surgical intervention.
• Failure of Non-Surgical Treatment: Surgery may be necessary if the fracture moves out of alignment during immobilisation or fails to heal adequately.
Humerus Fracture Surgery
For humeral shaft fractures, the radial nerve runs along the bone and controls wrist and finger extension. Its function should be assessed before surgery, and the nerve's location accounted for during fixation to reduce the risk of injury.
Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF)
During ORIF, the fractured humerus is realigned and secured using a metal plate and screws to maintain the bone fragments in position while healing occurs.
Intramedullary Nailing
Intramedullary nailing involves inserting a metal rod into the central canal of the humerus to stabilise the fracture internally. Dr Poh's shoulder fracture services include this fixation method for selected proximal humerus fractures.
Shoulder Replacement
For selected elderly patients with osteoporosis and complex, comminuted proximal humerus fractures (where the bone breaks into multiple fragments), shoulder replacement surgery may be an option when the damaged bone and joint cannot be adequately reconstructed using fixation.
Forearm Fracture Surgery
In adults, displaced fractures of the radius, ulna or both bones may require open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), using plates and screws to maintain bone alignment during healing. Surgery is particularly common when either or both bones are significantly displaced, as their alignment is necessary for forearm rotation, including turning the palm upwards and downwards.
What to Expect Before and After Surgery
Preparation and recovery arrangements depend on the fracture and type of surgery performed. Patients can generally expect the following:
• Before Surgery: X-rays or CT scans may be reviewed to plan the procedure. You will receive instructions on fasting, medications, and the type of anaesthesia to be used.
• After Surgery: A sling or splint may be required to protect the operated arm. Pain medication and wound care instructions will be provided to support recovery.
• Physiotherapy: Gentle movement may be introduced once the surgical fixation is sufficiently stable. The timing of physiotherapy depends on the fracture and procedure performed.
Recovery After Arm Fracture Surgery
Recovery after arm fracture surgery depends on the fracture location, severity and progress of bone healing. Rehabilitation generally involves the following stages, though timing and movement restrictions vary with every patient:
• Sling or Splint: Protects the operated arm during the initial healing period, with the duration depending on the fracture and surgical procedure.
• Early Movement: Gentle movements of the shoulder, elbow, wrist and fingers may be introduced as permitted, while protecting the surgical fixation.
• Physiotherapy: Guided exercises help restore joint mobility, flexibility and functional use of the arm.
• Strengthening: Muscle-strengthening exercises are gradually introduced when bone healing permits increased loading.
• Return to Driving, Work and Sport: Resuming these activities depends on fracture healing, arm strength, mobility and the physical demands involved.
Dr. Poh will advise on activity restrictions and rehabilitation progression based on your fracture and surgical treatment.
Risks and Complications
As with any surgical procedure, arm fracture surgery carries potential risks, which vary depending on the fracture location, severity and the patient's overall health. These include:
• Infection: An infection may develop at the surgical wound or around the implants.
• Nerve Injury: Nerves near the fracture or surgical site may be damaged, potentially affecting sensation or movement.
• Delayed Union or Nonunion: The fractured bone may heal more slowly than expected or fail to unite.
• Joint Stiffness: Shoulder or elbow movement may remain restricted following surgery.
• Implant Irritation: Plates, screws or nails may cause discomfort or irritation after surgery.
Dr. Poh will discuss the potential complications relevant to your fracture and proposed surgical procedure during consultation.
Arm Fracture Surgeon in Singapore: Dr. Poh Keng Soon
Dr. Poh Keng Soon is an orthopaedic surgeon registered with the Singapore Medical Council as a specialist in Orthopaedic Surgery. He treats proximal and distal humerus fractures, including injuries requiring surgical fixation or joint replacement in selected cases. He previously practised at National University Hospital and Alexandra Hospital, with clinical experience in the Sports Medicine, Shoulder and Elbow Division.
Qualifications & Professional Background
• Medical Qualifications: MRCS (Edinburgh, 2013), MMed (Orthopaedic Surgery, NUS, 2017) and FRCS (Edinburgh, 2018).
• Subspecialty Fellowship: Completed under the Ministry of Health's Health Manpower Development Plan (HMDP) award in Melbourne, Australia.
• Clinical & Academic Appointments: Visiting Consultant at National University Hospital and Adjunct Assistant Professor at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.
• Hospitals and Day Surgery Centres: Accredited to perform surgery at Gleneagles, Mount Elizabeth, Mount Elizabeth Novena, Parkway East, Mount Alvernia, Farrer Park, Thomson Medical Centre, Cura Day Surgery, Aptus Surgery Centre and Novaptus Surgery Centre.
Frequently asked questions
Clinic Locations
Gleneagles Hospital
Orthopaedic and Hand Surgery Partners
#03-37 Annexe Block
6A Napier Road
Singapore 258500
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Sunday & Public Holidays: Closed
Mount Alvernia Hospital
Orthopaedic and Hand Surgery Partners
#06-08 Medical Center A
820 Thomson Road
Singapore 574623
Operating Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays: Closed
Tel: +65-6970 7748
Mobile/WhatsApp: +65 8129 1019
Contact Us
If you have been diagnosed with an arm fracture or advised that surgery may be necessary, arrange a consultation with Dr. Poh to discuss your treatment options. You can book an appointment directly using the link below, submit the enquiry form, or contact the clinic via WhatsApp or telephone for further assistance.
