A broken arm occurs when one or more bones in the arm humerus (upper arm), radius, or ulna (forearm) are cracked or shattered due to trauma or falls.
Fracture of Arm
The arm is made up of three bones:
- Humerus (the bone in the upper arm)
- The ulna and the radius (the two bones in the forearm)
There can be many reasons or causes behind a broken arm:
- Falls: A broken arm is most commonly caused by falling onto an outstretched hand or elbow.
- Trauma: When the bones in your arm get broken due to an accident or any other kind of direct trauma.
- Sports injury: Many types of arm fractures occur due to a person experiencing injuries or direct blows while playing any sport.
Types of Fractures
There are various types of fractures. Some of them are as follows:
- Simple or closed fracture: A simple fracture is when the patient’s skin hasn’t been pierced by the broken bone.
- Compound or open fracture: A compound fracture is when the broken bone is visible through the skin.
- Hairline fracture: This is one of the most common types of fractures. It occurs either in the lower leg or foot due to repeated stress as a result of activities such as running or jogging.
- Greenstick fracture: When a patient’s bone gets a small crack. This is usually seen in children.
- Avulsion fracture: This type of fracture occurs when a part of the bone separates from the patient’s main tendon.
- Complicated fracture: A complicated fracture is when there is an injury to the structures surrounding the patient’s fractured area.
- Compression fracture: If two bones within a person’s body are forced against one another, it leads to a compression fracture.
Signs & Symptoms
- Intense pain that worsens with movement
- Swelling, bruising, or visible deformity (a bent or misshapen arm)
- Inability to move or bear weight on the affected limb
- Numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation beyond the injury site
When to Call Emergency Services
Call 911 or seek immediate medical help if any of the following occur:
- Suspected head, neck, or back injury
- Bone protruding through the skin (open fracture)
- Bleeding that doesn’t stop after several minutes of firm pressure
- Blood “spurting” from the wound
- Numbness, pale or blue skin, or loss of pulse in the arm
- Severe deformity or inability to move the arm at all
Immediate First Aid Steps
- Ensure the scene is safe and calm the injured person.
- Control bleeding by applying firm pressure with a clean cloth—avoid pressing directly on exposed bone.
- Apply an ice pack or bag of ice wrapped in a towel to the injury for 10–20 minutes to reduce swelling; elevate the arm above heart level if possible.
- Immobilize the arm in the position found:
- Use a padded splint or rolled-up newspaper/newspaper-backed ruler that extends beyond the joints above and below the fracture.
- Secure with bandages or cloth, ensuring it’s snug but not so tight that circulation is cut off.
- Monitor for signs of shock (rapid pulse, shallow breathing, pale skin); keep the person lying down, warm, and reassured.
- Do not attempt to straighten the arm or push protruding bone back in.
- Arrange transport to a healthcare facility for X-rays, professional reduction, and definitive treatment (cast, splint, or surgery).
Do’s and Don’ts
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Keep the arm supported and still | Try to realign or straighten the fracture |
| Apply ice and elevate the limb | Massage or apply heat to the injured area |
| Splint both above and below the injury site | Delay seeking professional evaluation |
| Watch for circulation (pulse, color, warmth) | Remove clothing stuck to the fracture site forcefully |
Treatment For a Broken Arm
- Ask the patient to sit down. You will need to immobilize the arm and shoulder by placing the arm in a sling.
- Place the arm in a comfortable position across the chest and ask the patient to support it.
- Use a triangular bandage as an arm sling. Place some soft padding – such as clothing or a folded towel – between the injured arm and the bandage where it lies against the chest. Tie the sling in position to support the arm.
- Tie a broad bandage over the sling and around the chest to secure the sling in place, avoiding the injured area if possible.
- Take or send the patient to hospital or urgent care center in a sitting position.
Treatment For Minor Fractures
When you go to a doctor with a minor fracture, they will first ensure that the affected area stops bleeding. As far as bone fractures are concerned, they will then do the following:
- Setting the bone is vital if the patient has a displaced fracture. Based on the swelling and pain, the patient might need to be given a sedative, muscle relaxant, or general anesthesia before this step.
- Immobilization is the next step for minor fractures. In case the patient has suffered a mild fracture, it can be treated through a cast or splint. If you’re given a splint, it will stay on for about five weeks or less than that. If you’re given a cast, you will have to keep it on for anywhere between six to eight weeks.
- The doctor will recommend follow-up X-rays to see if the bones are healing properly.
- Over-the-counter pain medicines will be prescribed to deal with inflammation and pain.
Treatment For Major Fractures
Major fractures require surgery, and the kind of surgery a doctor opts for depends on the type of fracture the patient has experienced. Some of the different surgeries that fall under this category include:
Internal Fixation
Internal fixation usually requires the presence of rods, pins, wires, plates, and screws. In order to ensure that the fractured bone stays in place, the doctor inserts metal pieces into the patient’s bone. After this procedure, the patient is required to limit the usage of the broken arm so that it heals quickly.
External Fixation
Metal screws and pins are used in external fixation which are placed on either side of the fracture within the patient’s body and into their bone. The screws will be connected through a metal bar outside their skin, and the bones will be held together by pins. This procedure is recommended when the skin around the patient’s broken arm is severely damaged.
Arthroplasty
Arthroplasty is a joint replacement method that is used when a person fractures a joint, such as their knee, elbow, or shoulder. The surgeon will first remove the damaged joint and then be replaced by an artificial joint.
How to Make an Arm Sling
Follow these steps to make an arm sling using a triangular bandage.
- Ask the patient to support the injured arm at the elbow, with the hand slightly above the horizontal position.
- Drape a triangular bandage under the arm, with its long side down the unaffected side of the body, the top round the neck and the point level with the elbow on the affected side.
- Fold the lower end of the bandage up over the forearm and tie it securely over the shoulder with the knot resting in the hollow above the collarbone (clavicle).
- Fold the point of the bandage forwards over the elbow, tuck in and fasten with a safety pin or medical tape.
REFERENCES
- Broken bones. American College of Emergency Physicians. https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/know-when-to-go/broken-bones.
- Broken arm or wrist. National Health Service. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/broken-arm-or-wrist/.
- Overview of fractures. Merck Manual Professional Version. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/injuries-poisoning/fractures/overview-of-fractures
- WebMD Editorial Contributors, Broken Arm Treatment, February 11, 2024, https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/broken-arm-treatment
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2015, March 19). Fractures (broken bones): First aid
http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-fractures/basics/art-20056641
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