Doctor's Notes on Broken Arm
A broken arm (fractured arm) means that one or more of the bones of the arm (the humerus, radius, and ulna) have cracked. Arm fractures account for nearly half of all broken bones in adults, and in children, forearm fractures are second only to broken collarbones. Almost all arm injuries that result in a broken bone are caused by either falls or direct trauma such as a car accident or sports injuries.
Symptoms of a broken arm include
- extreme pain and increased pain when moving the arm,
- swelling,
- deformity when compared to the other arm, possible open wound either from the bone puncturing the skin or from the skin being cut during the injury, and
- decreased sensation or inability to move the limb, which may indicate nerve damage.
What Is the Treatment for a Broken Arm?
Treatment of fractures involves aligning the bones in place (reduction) so they can heal properly. Depending on the type and severity of the arm fracture, this may be done medically or surgically.
Immobilization of an arm fracture in which the ends already align includes:
- A full cast (a most common type of fracture treatment)
- Functional cast, brace, or splint
- Allows for limited movement of nearby joints
Surgery to treat arm fractures may be needed for fractures that are not lined up properly or are unstable and not likely to heal on their own. Types of surgery to fix broken arm bones include:
- External fixation
- Metal pins or screws are placed into the broken bone above and below the fracture site and connected to a metal bar outside the skin which acts as a stabilizing frame to hold bones in the proper position while they heal
- Open reduction and internal fixation
- The bone fragments are first reduced (repositioned) into proper alignment and held together with special screws, metal plates attached to the outer surface of the bone, or rods inserted through the center of the bone
For pain, over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve) may be recommended. For severe arm fractures, prescription pain medications may be used.
After the bone in the arm has healed, physical therapy may be needed because patients may lose muscle strength and range of motion in the injured area. Exercises will help stretch and strengthen the muscles and improve joint motion and flexibility.
Arm fractures can take several weeks to several months to heal, though pain usually goes away long before the arm fracture is fully healed.
Trauma and First Aid : Training and Supplies Quiz

Emotional trauma is best described as a psychological response to a deeply distressing or life-threatening experience.
See AnswerMust Read Articles:
-
Broken Ankle (Fracture)
An broken ankle (ankle fracture) can be caused by rolling the ankle in or out, twisting the ankle, extreme flexing of the joint, or trauma. Symptoms of a broken ankle include pain, swelling, inability to move the toes or foot, and exposed bone. Treatment of broken ankle depends on the type of fracture. -
Fractures or Dislocations
Fractures are breaks in bone and are classified according to several different categories. Compound fractures are the most dangerous; the bone is broken into fragments that come through the skin. Treatment includes setting the broken bone and splinting the injury, among other steps. Steps are taken to prevent infection if the skin is broken. -
How Long Does It Take to Recover from an Avulsion Fracture?
An avulsion fracture occurs when a bone fragment is pulled away from its main bone by soft tissue such as ligaments or tendons attached to it. Avulsion fractures can occur in any area where soft tissue is attached to bone. Recovery time from an avulsion fracture can range from several weeks to several months, depending on the severity of the injury, the location of the injury, and how promptly the injury is diagnosed and treated. -
What Are the Types of Fractures?
A fracture is a broken bone, and there are several types. These types of fractures include stable fracture, open (compound) fracture, transverse fracture, oblique fracture, and comminuted fracture. -
What Is a Closed Fracture?
A fracture is a broken bone. A closed fracture (also called a simple fracture) is one in which a bone is broken, but the skin remains intact. Most fractures are considered closed fractures. Another type of fracture is called an open fracture (or compound fracture), which differs from a closed fracture because the bone can be seen protruding from the skin or is visible through a deep wound. An open fracture is a medical emergency. -
Wrist Injury (Wrist Fracture)
The wrist injury can be a sprain, strain, or fractured or broken bone(s). Symptoms of an injury or fracture include pain, deformity, heat, swelling, and inability to move the joint. If you have severe pain, deformity, numbness, or are unable to move your wrist, call your doctor immediately, or go to an urgent care clinic, or hospital emergency department. Treatment of a wrist injury depends upon the type of wrist injury.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.