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The arm is composed of three parts, the ulna, radius, and humerus. A broken arm is defined as having one or more arm bones broken or cracked. The arm could swell and be painful. Falling onto an extended hand is one of the most typical ways that an arm is broken. In the event that someone is suspected to broken their arm, they should seek medical attention, this is to ensure good healing, a fracture must be treated as soon as possible.
The appropriate treatment for a bone injury depends on where and how severe the damage is. If the break is minor, a combination of a sling, ice, and rest may be used to treat it. However, if the bone is significantly damaged, it may require being realigned by a medical professional in an emergency room.
If the fracture is more severe, surgery may be necessary to realign the broken bone and implant wires, plates, nails, or screws to hold the bone in place while it heals.
Symptoms
Depending on how severe the fracture is and how many bones are involved, the symptoms of a broken arm may change. If the arm is twisted or has an open fracture, where the bone sticks through the skin, it may be obvious that the arm has been broken.
The first indication that the arm is broken could be a snap or cracking sound. Signs and symptoms include:
- Arms looks twisted, bent, or not in place properly
- Severe pain
- Swelling or tenderness
- Inability to move the arm.
- Bruising
- Numbness or weakness
If you are unable to use your arm normally due to intense pain, it is crucial to consult a doctor without delay. The same advice applies to children as well. When a broken arm is not promptly diagnosed and treated, it can result in inadequate healing, particularly in children who tend to recover faster than adults.
Causes
Broken arms frequently result from the following:
- Falls: The most typical way that an arm is broken is when someone falls onto an outstretched hand or elbow.
- Sports activities: All sorts of arm fractures are brought on by direct blows and accidents on the field or court.
- Trauma. During a vehicle collision, bike accident, or other direct trauma, any of the arm bones could fracture.
- Child abuse: A fractured arm in a child could be the result of an abuse.
Risk factors
A fractured arm can occur more frequently due to certain medical problems or physical activities.
- Age: A broken arm from a fall or trip may be more likely in older people with weaker bones.
- Bone abnormalities: A person’s risk of bone fractures may increase due to underlying bone disorders. Bone fractures are more likely to occur in people with osteoporosis or bone tumor, a condition that weakens bones. Older adults may experience this more frequently. An example of this kind of fracture is a pathological fracture.
- Athletes: Overuse is another factor in broken arms. Muscles can become fatigued by repeated motion. As a result, bones are subjected to increased strain and stress, leading to stress fractures. Athletes are more prone to overuse.
A broken arm is more likely to occur in any sport that includes physical contact or raises the possibility of falling, such as football, soccer, gymnastics, skiing, and skating.
Diagnosis
The following procedures will help diagnose the fractured arm.
- Physical Examination: The healthcare provider will conduct a history taking by asking how the patient injured themselves, and physical examination of the arm and will assess for any tenderness, swelling, deformity, or any open wound.
- Imaging test:
- X-ray: This is the primary instrument for diagnosing broken bones. This test may also be used by healthcare providers to monitor the healing of a broken arm. It creates an image of bones on a film using very small amounts of radiation.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This creates precise images of the inside organs and structures of the body by combining radio waves, powerful magnets, and a computer. Over X-rays, MRIs are more sensitive. Little fractures that occasionally X-rays cannot see can be found with an MRI.
- Bone scan: This method is effective for identifying fractures, including as stress and child fractures, that might be challenging to see on X-rays. To identify the source of any discomfort or inflammation a person may be feeling, a radioactive material is used.
- Computed tomography (CT) Scan: This makes use of both X-rays and computer technology. It creates both vertically and horizontally oriented cross-sectional images of the body.
Treatment
The way a broken arm is treated is determined by the specific type of break that has occurred. The amount of time required for the broken bone to heal can be influenced by several factors, such as the severity of the injury, the person’s age, nutritional status, and whether they use tobacco or alcohol. Additionally, any pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes may also impact the healing process.
- Setting the bone: The patient’s healthcare provider may need to realign the components of a fracture if it has displaced fracture. Before the surgery, the patient may require a muscle relaxant, sedative, or possibly a general anesthesia, depending on how much pain and swelling they are experiencing.
- Immobilization: A broken bone needs to be immobilized, which requires the usage of a cast, brace, sling, or other type of immobilizing device. The healthcare provider will probably hold off on placing a cast until the swelling subsides, which typically happens five to seven days after the incident. Patient may probably wear a splint throughout this period. To ensure that the bones have not moved during the healing process, the healthcare provider may ask the patient to undergo for another X-ray.
- Medications: Healthcare provider could suggest taking an over-the-counter pain medication to lessen pain and inflammation. Patient might require a prescription drug with a narcotic for a few days if your pain is severe. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) can reduce pain, but they may also slow bone healing, especially if taken for a prolonged period of time. To find out if you can use them to relieve pain, ask your doctor. An antibiotic will probably be prescribed if the patient have an open fracture—a wound or break in the skin near the wound site—to stop an infection from spreading to the bone.
- Therapy: After a short time after initial treatment, rehabilitation begins. To reduce stiffness in the arm, hand, and shoulder while the patient wears their cast or sling, it’s typically crucial to start moving as soon as they can. To regain muscular strength, joint motion, and flexibility once the cast or sling is taken off, the healthcare provider may suggest extra rehabilitation exercises or physical therapy.
- Surgery: Certain fractures require surgery to be stabilized. Healthcare provider might postpone surgery until after the swelling has subsided if the fracture did not break the skin. Swelling will be reduced by elevating and immobilizing their arm.
- External fixation: The medical professional will insert metal screws and pins into the area below and around the fracture. These will be connected by a metal bar that will be placed outside the skin to keep the broken bones in place during the healing process. This method may be chosen if the individual is unable to undergo surgery due to significant damage to their skin and surrounding soft tissues.
- Open reduction and internal fixation: The bones will be realigned and placed in their proper places by the healthcare provider. Then, to hold the broken bone’s fragments in place, they will insert specialized screws, metal plates, and rods through the damaged bone.
