Arm fractures occur when one of the three bones in the arm become cracked or broken. Arm fractures can occur due to overuse, injury, or illness. Treatment for an arm fracture is typically covered by medical insurance.
Causes of an Arm Fracture
Upper Arm Fractures
The bone located between the shoulder and elbow is known as the humerus.
The humerus is commonly fractured by:
- Injury such as being in a car accident
- Muscle contractions impacting the bone
- Generally seen in sports injuries
- Illness weakening the bones
Forearm Fractures
The forearm is the section of the arm between the elbow and wrist. There are two bones in this section the radius and the ulna. Arm fractures can occur in either one or both of these bones. Generally, injuries to this area are seen due to falling and attempting to break the fall with the arm. It is commonly seen in children and teenagers in sports such as skating and skateboarding. In older individuals, injuries in the forearm are likely the result of bones that were weakened from illness.
Symptoms of Fractured Arms
Symptoms caused by arm fractures include:
- Having swelling or tenderness in the area around the fracture
- Arm pain
- Having bruising on the arms
- Difficulty moving the arm or reduced flexibility
- Having a deformed appearance in the arm
- Feeling numbness in the arm
Diagnosing Arm Fractures
Diagnosing arm fractures begins with a physical exam by a physician. He or she will ask you questions about what happened to the arm, what kinds of symptoms you’re experiencing and how long you’ve had symptoms. They’ll ask if you’ve had other injuries or problems with the arms prior to the most current incident. In order to understand how the arm looks and feels different than normal, they’ll likely compare the injured arm to your healthy arm. They may check for a pulse to verify circulation or touch the injured area to feel for damage. Then, the doctor will order an x-ray to view the bones of the arm. The x-rays will confirm if there is a fracture as well as the severity of the fracture.
Treatments for Arm Fractures and Arm Fracture Surgery
There are a number of ways to treat a fractured arm. The exact method of treatment largely depends on the type, location, and severity of the fracture. Sometimes arm fractures only need to be placed in a split or brace in order to give the body time to heal. In severe cases, surgery may be required to help repair the bone and other tissues that may have been injured due to the fracture. Treatment, including arm fracture surgery, is covered by medical insurance.
Orthopedic Arm Specialist
Receive additional information on arm fracture surgery by speaking with the orthopedic expert, Dr. Howard Marans. Please click below to schedule your consultation – or – call 714.979.8981.
