How do you know if your arm is broken?
If your arm has broken you may experience pain and tenderness, localised bruising and swelling, numbness, difficulty moving the arm, and bleeding if the bone has broken through the skin.
Are there different types of arm breaks?
When you break your arm, you fracture the bone. There are many different types of fractures. The main types of fracture are open, closed, displaced, and non-displaced.
An open fracture is when there is a break in the skin near the broken bone, or where there is an open wound. A closed fracture is when the bone has broken, but there is no open wound.
A displaced fracture is when the bone breaks and moves, so the two parts of the bone no longer line up. Surgery may be needed to deal with a displaced fracture. A non-displaced fracture is when the bone cracks, but does not move out of place.
How long does it take for a broken arm to heal in adults?
How long a broken arm takes to heal will depend on a variety of factors, including the severity of the fracture. In general, bones take between six to twelve weeks to heal, or longer. Children’s bones tend to heal more quickly than those of adults.
How long does it take for a broken arm to heal in children?
How long a broken arm takes to heal will depend on a variety of factors, including the severity of the fracture. However, broken bones in children generally heal more quickly than in adults. A simple fracture may heal completely within four weeks.
How do you treat a broken arm?
If you suspect your arm is broken, go to your nearest emergency department or if the break is severe, call for an ambulance. At the hospital, a splint may be placed on your arm to keep it in a stable position. An x-ray will determine whether the arm is broken, and if so, the nature of the break, and how severe it is.
Does a broken arm need surgery?
If the break is straightforward, a sling may be the only treatment needed. However, surgery may be necessary if the bones need to be realigned. After surgery, a plaster cast will be placed on the arm to protect the bone as it heals.
How long does a cast stay on a broken arm?
If surgery was not required, your arm may be in a cast for a few weeks. If you have had surgery, a cast may be needed for two to six weeks following surgery. How long the cast stays on your arm depends on the severity and nature of the fracture.
Should a broken bone hurt in a cast?
You may experience some pain for a few weeks after the cast is placed on your arm. Pain may occur when the fracture happens or shortly afterwards.
Can you fracture a bone and not know it?
If you fracture a bone, you will likely experience the following symptoms: swelling and bruising, pain, difficulty in moving the affected area, numbness, and bleeding if the bone has broken through the skin. If you’re not sure whether you have fractured a bone, it is best to assume it is a fracture and see a doctor.
Can you exercise with a broken arm?
It is best to avoid intensive exercise while your broken arm is healing, and you’ll find you won’t be able to do much exercise anyway. However, once the bone is healing, it is a good idea to do some gentle stretches and exercises to reduce stiffness.