Broken Arm

Your arm has three main bones: the humerus (upper arm bone) and the ulna and radius (forearm bones). A "broken arm" can mean any of these bones are fractured.

A broken arm happens when one or more of the bones in your arm – the ulna, radius, or humerus – are cracked or broken. A common way people break their arms is by falling and putting their hand out to break the fall. If you think you or a child has a broken arm, see a doctor right away. Getting treatment quickly is key to proper healing.

How a broken arm is treated depends on where the break is and how bad it is. A small break might be treated with a sling, ice packs, and rest. But sometimes, the bones need to be put back into place (a process called "reduction"). This might happen in an emergency room.

More serious breaks often need surgery. During surgery, the doctor will put the broken bone back in its correct position and use metal pieces like wires, plates, nails, or screws to hold it together while it heals.

A broken arm often starts with a sharp, cracking sound. You might notice several things that could signal a break. These include:

• Severe pain: The pain could get worse when you try to move your arm.
• Swelling: The area around the break will become puffy.
• Bruising: A black-and-blue mark might appear.
• Change in shape: Your arm or wrist might look bent or out of place. This is called deformity.
• Limited movement: You might not be able to easily rotate your arm from your palm facing up to your palm facing down, or vice versa.

If your arm hurts so much you can't use it normally, it's important to see a doctor right away. This is also true for children. Children heal from broken bones faster than adults. If a broken arm isn't treated promptly, especially in children, it could cause problems with healing later on.

Severe arm pain that makes it hard to use your arm normally needs immediate medical attention. This is true for adults and children. If a child's arm is broken, prompt diagnosis and treatment are very important. Children's bones heal faster than adults' bones, so delays in getting care can result in the bone not healing properly. See a doctor right away if you or your child are experiencing this.

Broken arms happen for several reasons. The most common cause is a fall, especially when you try to catch yourself with your outstretched hand or elbow. This kind of fall puts a lot of force on the arm, making it more likely to break.

Sports injuries can also cause broken arms. A hard hit during a game or practice can lead to a fracture. This could be a direct blow to the arm, or even a twisting motion that forces the bone to break.

Serious accidents, like car crashes or bike accidents, can also break an arm. The impact of these accidents is often very strong, and it can cause fractures in any part of the arm.

Finally, in children, a broken arm might be a sign of abuse. If a child has a broken arm without a clear explanation like a fall or accident, it's important to seek help. A doctor or other medical professional can investigate and determine the cause.

Broken arms can happen for several reasons. Some activities and health problems make a broken arm more likely.

Sports that involve hitting, tackling, or have a risk of falling, like football, soccer, gymnastics, skiing, and skateboarding, can put extra stress on your arm, raising the chances of a break. These activities can lead to falls or collisions that cause injuries.

If your bones are weak, you're more prone to broken arms. Conditions like osteoporosis (where bones become thin and brittle) and bone tumors can weaken your bones, making them more likely to break. When a break happens because of weakened bones, it's called a "pathological fracture."

Broken arm recovery is usually good if treated quickly. However, there are potential problems:

• Uneven Growth: A child's arm bones are still growing. If a break happens near the ends of the bone (the growth plates), it might affect how the bone grows normally. This can cause one side of the bone to grow more or less than the other, resulting in an uneven or crooked appearance.

• Joint Pain (Osteoarthritis): If a break goes into a joint, like the elbow or shoulder, it can sometimes lead to arthritis in that joint years later. This causes pain and stiffness in the joint.

• Stiff Joints: To heal a broken upper arm bone, you often need to keep the arm still (immobilized). This can sometimes make the elbow or shoulder stiff and limit how much you can move them. This stiffness can be painful.

• Bone Infection: If a piece of the broken bone pierces the skin, it can become exposed to germs. This can lead to a bone infection. Treating this kind of break quickly is very important.

• Nerve or Blood Vessel Damage: If the upper arm bone (humerus) breaks into several pieces, the sharp edges can damage nearby nerves and blood vessels. If you notice any numbness, tingling, or problems with blood flow (like the affected area feeling cold or pale), seek immediate medical help.

• Compartment Syndrome: The injured arm might swell a lot. This swelling can cut off the blood supply to part of the arm. This is called compartment syndrome and is very serious. It usually happens 24 to 48 hours after the injury and causes severe pain and numbness. It's a medical emergency that needs surgery.

While accidents can't always be avoided, taking these steps can help lower your risk of broken bones.

Strengthen Your Bones:

A healthy diet is key to strong bones. Include plenty of calcium-rich foods like milk, yogurt, and cheese. Calcium helps bones stay strong, and Vitamin D helps your body absorb it. You can get Vitamin D from foods like fatty fish (salmon), fortified foods (like some milk and orange juice), or by getting some sun exposure. Make sure you're getting enough of both!

Stay Active and Balanced:

Regular exercise, especially weight-bearing activities like walking or jogging, and exercises that improve your balance and posture, are important for bone health. The more active you are, the stronger your bones will be, and the less likely you are to fall and break a bone as you age.

Make Your Home Safer:

Preventing falls is crucial. Choose comfortable, supportive shoes. Remove tripping hazards like loose rugs or cords. Make sure your home is well-lit, especially hallways and stairways. Installing grab bars in the bathroom and handrails on stairs can significantly reduce your risk of falls.

Protect Yourself During Activities:

When participating in activities with a higher risk of falls or impacts, like in-line skating, snowboarding, rugby, or football, wear appropriate protective gear like wrist guards.

Quit Smoking:

Smoking weakens bones and makes it harder for them to heal if you do break one. Quitting smoking is a great way to improve your overall health and bone strength.

Your doctor will check your arm for any pain, swelling, unusual shapes, or cuts. They'll talk to you about what happened and how you hurt your arm. To figure out exactly where the break is and how bad it is, your doctor will probably order X-rays. Sometimes, a more detailed picture, like an MRI scan, might be needed to see the injury better.