Description

A broken arm involves one or more of the three bones in your arm — the ulna, radius and humerus. One of the most common causes of a broken arm is falling onto an outstretched hand. If you think that you or your child has broken an arm, seek immediate medical attention. It is important to treat a fracture as soon as possible for proper healing.

The treatment depends on the site and the severity of the injury. A simple break might be treated with a sling, ice and rest. However, the bone may require realignment (reduction) in the emergency room.

A more complicated break might require surgery to realign the broken bone and the implant wires, plates, nails, or screws to keep the bone in place during healing.

Symptoms

A snap or pop may be the first indication that you've broken an arm. Signs and symptoms include:

  • Severe pain, which may increase with movement
  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Deformity, such as a bent arm or wrist
  • Inability to turn your arm with the palm up, palm down, or vice versa

When to see a doctor

If you have enough pain in his arm, which cannot be used normally, please consult a doctor immediately. The same applies to your child. Delays in the diagnosis and treatment of a fracture of an arm, especially for kids, to heal more quickly than adults, can lead to poor healing.

Causes

Common causes of a broken arm include:

  • Falls. The fall onto an outstretched hand or elbow is the most common cause of a fracture of an arm.
  • Sports injuries. Direct blows and wounded on the field or court in the cause all types of fractures of the arm.
  • Significant Trauma. Any one of his arm bones can break during a car accident, motorcycle accident or other direct trauma.
  • Child abuse. In children, a broken arm could be the result of child abuse.

Risk factors

Certain medical conditions or physical activities can increase the risk of a fracture of an arm.

Certain sports

Any sport that involves physical contact or increases the risk of falls — including football, soccer, gymnastics, skiing and skateboarding — it also increases the risk of a fracture of an arm.

Abnormalities of the bones

Conditions that weaken the bones, such as osteoporosis and bone tumors, increase your risk of a fracture of an arm. This type of rupture is known as a pathological fracture.

Complications

The prognosis for the majority of the fractures of the arm is very good if treated early. But complications may include:

  • The uneven growth. Because the arm of a child's bones are still growing, a fracture in the area where the growth occurs close to each end of a long bone (growth plate) can interfere with that bone in-growth.
  • Osteoarthritis. Fractures that extend into a joint can cause arthritis years later.
  • Stiffness. The immobilization necessary to heal a fracture in the bone of the upper arm, it can sometimes be painfully limited range of motion of the elbow or the shoulder.
  • Infection in the bone. If a part of your broken bone protruding through his skin, you may be exposed to the germs that can cause infection. The timely treatment of this type of fracture is essential.
  • The nerves or the blood vessels of the injury. If the upper arm bone (humerus) fractures in two or more parts, the teeth of the ends can be damaging nearby nerves and blood vessels. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience numbness or circulatory problems.
  • The compartment syndrome. Excessive swelling of the injured arm can cut off the blood supply to a part of the arm, causing pain and numbness. Usually occur 24 to 48 hours after the injury, compartment syndrome is a medical emergency that requires surgery.

Prevention

Although it is impossible to avoid an accident, these tips may offer some protection against breakage of the bone.

  • Eat by the strength of the bones. Eating a healthy diet that includes calcium-rich foods, such as milk, yogurt and cheese, and vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium. You can get vitamin D from fatty fish, like salmon, fortified foods such as milk and orange juice; and the exposure to the sun.
  • Exercise for bone strength. Weight-bearing physical activity and exercises that improve balance and posture can strengthen bones and reduce the likelihood of a fracture. The more active and fit you is like the age, the less likely you are to fall and break a bone.
  • To prevent falls. To prevent falls, wear comfortable shoes. Remove home hazards that can cause you to trip, such as area rugs. Make sure that your living space is well-lit. Install grab bars in bathrooms and handrails on the stairs, if it is necessary.
  • The use of protective equipment. Wear wrist guards for high-risk activities, such as skating, snowboarding, rugby and soccer.
  • Do not smoke. Smoking can increase your risk of a fracture of an arm by the reduction of the bone mass. It also hinders the healing of fractures.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will examine your arm sensitivity, swelling, deformity or an open wound. After discussing your symptoms and how the injury, your doctor will probably order an x-ray to determine the location and extent of the fracture. Occasionally, other tests, such as an mri , may be used to obtain more detail of the images.

Treatment

The treatment of a fracture of an arm depends on the type of break. The time needed for healing depends on a variety of factors, including the severity of the injury; other conditions, such as diabetes; your age; nutrition; and the use of tobacco and alcohol.

The fractures are classified in one or more of the following categories:

  • Open (compound) fracture. The broken bone pierces the skin, a serious condition that requires immediate, aggressive treatment to decrease the risk of infection.
  • Closed fracture. The skin remains intact.
  • Displaced fracture. The fragments of bone on each side of the fracture are not aligned. Surgery may be necessary to realign the fragments.
  • Fracture, comminuted. The bone is broken in pieces, so that could require surgery.
  • Fracture, greenstick. The bone cracks but does not break all the way, as what happens when you turn a green stick of wood. The majority of bone fractures in children are greenstick fractures because children's bones are softer and more flexible than those of adults.
  • Buckle (torus) fracture. One side of the bone is compressed, which causes the other side of the curve (buckle). This type of fracture is also more common in children.

Adjust the bone

If you have a displaced fracture, your doctor may need to move the pieces into position (reduction). Depending on the amount of pain and swelling you have, you may need a muscle relaxant, sedative, or even a general anesthetic before this procedure.

Immobilization

To limit the movement of a broken bone, that required a splint, sling, brace or cast, it is critical to healing. Before the application of a cast, your doctor will probably wait until the swelling goes down, usually five to seven days after the injury. Meanwhile, it is likely that you wear a splint.

Your doctor may ask you to return for X-rays during the healing process to make sure that the bones have not changed.

Drugs

To reduce the pain and swelling, the doctor may recommend an over-the-counter pain relievers. If the pain is severe, you may need a prescription medication that contains a narcotic for a couple of days.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help with the pain, but it could also hinder the healing of bones, especially if used long term. Ask your doctor whether you can take to relieve the pain.

If you have an open fracture, in which you have a wound or cut in the skin near the site of the wound, the more likely it is that given an antibiotic to prevent infection that could reach the bone.

Therapy

Rehabilitation starts shortly after the initial treatment. In most cases, it is important, if possible, to start a little movement in order to minimize the stiffness in the arm, hand and shoulder, while you are using the splint or sling.

After the cast or splint is removed, your doctor may recommend other rehabilitation exercises or physical therapy to restore muscle strength, joint mobility and flexibility.

Surgery

The surgery is needed to stabilize some fractures. If the fracture does not break the skin, the doctor may wait to do the surgery until the swelling has gone down. Keeping the arm movement and elevation of this is going to reduce the swelling.

Fixation devices — such as wires, plates, nails, or screws — might be needed to keep the bone in place during healing. Complications are rare but can include infection and the lack of bone healing.

Preparing for your appointment

Depending on the severity of the tear, your family doctor or the emergency room physician may refer you or your child to a doctor who specializes in injuries of the musculoskeletal system of the body (orthopedic surgeon).

What you can do

Make a list that includes:

  • Details about you or your child's symptoms and the incident that caused
  • Information about the medical problems of the past
  • All the medications and dietary supplements that you or your child takes
  • Questions to ask the doctor

For a broken arm, questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What tests are needed?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • The surgery is necessary?
  • What restrictions I need to follow?
  • Do you recommended to consult a specialist?
  • What pain medications you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you questions, including:

  • Did the symptoms appear suddenly?
  • What caused the symptoms?
  • Did an injury to trigger the symptoms?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of fracture of arm