Broken Arm – Symptoms and Causes

What Happens with a Broken Arm

A broken arm happens when one or more of the three arm bones (ulna, radius, or humerus) fractures. Falls onto outstretched hands are often the cause of these injuries.

When you suspect a broken arm, getting medical help quickly is essential for proper healing. Don’t delay seeking treatment. The healing process works best when treatment begins promptly after injury.

Signs of a Broken Arm

A broken arm is usually signaled by pain, and you might hear a snap or crack when the injury happens. Common signs include:

• Severe pain that worsens with movement
• Swelling around the injured area
• Bruising on the skin
• Visible deformity, like a bent arm or wrist
• Limited movement, cannot turn your arm from palm up to down

When Medical Care Is Needed

Seek medical help right away if arm pain prevents normal use. This advice applies to both adults and children. Children’s bones heal faster than adult bones, so quick treatment is especially important.

Waiting too long for proper diagnosis and treatment can result in poor healing and possibly lasting problems with arm function.

Causes

Broken arms happen for several reasons. The most common cause is falling on an outstretched hand or elbow. This type of accident often occurs during everyday activities.

Sports-related injuries are another frequent cause. Players may suffer arm fractures from direct hits or falls during games and practices.

Serious accidents like car crashes or bicycle collisions can break any bone in the arm due to the strong impact forces involved.

Unfortunately, in some cases, child abuse may result in broken arms in young people. These injuries should raise concern when the explanation doesn’t match the injury pattern.

What Makes You More Likely to Break Your Arm

Playing Certain Sports

Some sports create a higher chance of arm breaks. Sports where you might fall, like gymnastics, skiing, and skateboarding, can lead to broken arms. Contact sports such as football and soccer also raise the risk.

Having Weak Bones

When bones become weak or abnormal, they break more easily. People with conditions like osteoporosis have less bone density, making their arms more fragile. Bone tumors can also weaken the structure of arm bones.

Doctors call breaks that happen because of weak bones “pathological fractures.”

Possible Complications

Arm fractures usually heal well with early treatment. However, several issues may arise:

• Growth Problems: In children, fractures near growth plates can affect normal bone development, leading to uneven growth.
• Joint Damage: When fractures extend into joints, they may cause arthritis later in life.
• Limited Movement: The immobilization needed for healing upper arm fractures sometimes results in stiffness and reduced range of motion in the elbow or shoulder.
• Infection Risk: Open fractures (where bone breaks through skin) expose the bone to bacteria, creating infection risk that requires immediate treatment.
• Nerve and Blood Vessel Damage: When the humerus (upper arm bone) breaks into multiple pieces, the sharp fragments can damage nearby nerves and blood vessels. Symptoms include:
  • Numbness
  • Circulation problems
  • Unusual coloring in the arm or hand
• Compartment Syndrome: This serious condition occurs when excessive swelling cuts off blood supply to parts of the arm, causing:
  • Intense pain
  • Numbness
  • Muscle weakness

Compartment syndrome typically develops 24-48 hours after injury and requires emergency surgery to prevent permanent damage.

Ways to Protect Your Bones

While accidents can’t always be prevented, you can take steps to lower your risk of broken bones. Here are some practical ways to keep your bones strong and reduce fracture risks:

Build Strong Bones Through Diet

• Eat calcium-rich foods like milk, yogurt, and cheese
• Include vitamin D sources such as fatty fish and fortified foods
• Consider appropriate supplements if your diet lacks these nutrients

Exercise Regularly

Weight-bearing activities strengthen bones and improve balance. The more active you stay as you age, the less likely you are to fall and suffer fractures. Good options include:

• Walking
• Light jogging
• Tennis
• Dancing
• Resistance training

Fall-Proof Your Environment

Many bone breaks happen from simple falls that could be prevented.

1. Wear proper footwear with good traction.
2. Remove tripping hazards like loose rugs.
3. Ensure adequate lighting throughout your home.
4. Install grab bars in bathrooms.
5. Add handrails on all stairways.

Use Protective Equipment

Wear appropriate safety gear during physical activities, especially for high-risk sports. Wrist guards are particularly important for:

• Inline skating
• Snowboarding
• Contact sports like rugby and football

Avoid Smoking

Smoking damages bone health in two significant ways. First, it reduces bone mass, making bones weaker and more prone to breaking. Second, it slows the healing process if you do suffer a fracture.

Regular Health Check-ups

Talk with your doctor about bone density testing, especially if you have risk factors for osteoporosis. Early detection allows for treatment before fractures occur.