All patient preparations

The supine patient position with the arm on a radiolucent arm board can be used for anterior and anterolateral approaches to the humeral shaft.

In older children and adolescents, the beach chair patient position with the arm on a narrow arm board can be used for anterolateral and extended deltopectoral (anterior) approaches to the humeral shaft.

The lateral patient position with a hanging arm may be used for posterior approaches.

This position can be more difficult for smaller patients because of the short humeral segment.

The prone patient position is used for posterior plating the humeral shaft.