Adult Skin Problems Slideshow Pictures Gallery of Skin Problems and Image Collection

Medical Author:

Andrew P Baniukiewicz, MD

Coauthor:

Daniel DiSandro, MD

Medical Editor:

Scott H Plantz, MD, FAAEM

Medical Editor:

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD

Medical Editor:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Medical Treatment

The most important aspect of treating fractures is to determine which ones can be treated with outpatient care and which require admission to the hospital.

In most instances, the broken arm will be able to be treated in the emergency department.

• Most fractures will need to have a splint or partial cast applied to stabilize the broken bones. Some breaks especially in the upper arm and shoulder may only need to be immobilized in a sling.
  
  
• In addition to splinting the broken arm, the physician will prescribe medicines for pain control and ice to decrease swelling.
  
  
• Typically, wounds that warrant admission to the hospital are these:
  
  
  • Bones that have gone through the skin or have lacerations over the broken area
    
    
  • Fractures that are associated with nerve damage
    
    
  • Fractures that are associated with blood vessel damage
    
    
  • Complicated fractures that have multiple breaks, involve the joints, or are unable to be stabilized in the emergency department or doctor's office