Breaking an arm is normal and can happen at any age. The fracture can involve the humerus, the ulna or the radius, that is, the three bones that make up this limb. To properly treat a broken arm, you need to take care of the fracture immediately, see a doctor, be patient and give it the right care so that it heals completely.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Undergo Treatment
Step 1. Assess the situation
Depending on the severity of the fracture, you will need to call an ambulance or go to the emergency room. Before proceeding, take a moment to evaluate the situation so as to avoid aggravating it.
- If you hear a sound like a snapping or snapping sound, it may be a fracture.
- Other classic symptoms of a fracture: intense pain that becomes worse if you try to move your arm, swelling, bruising, deformity, difficulty in facing the palm up or down.
- If you notice certain symptoms, call an ambulance or go to the emergency room as soon as possible. Any alarm bells? The victim of the injury has lost consciousness, is not breathing or moving. Observe profuse bleeding. Just apply light pressure or make a gentle movement to trigger painful sensations. The tip of the affected arm (for example a finger) is numb or bluish. You suspect that a bone has broken in the neck, head or back area. You notice that the bone is attacking the surface of the skin or the arm is deformed.
- If you can't call an ambulance or go to the emergency room, read this article.
Step 2. Relieve any bleeding
If the fracture has caused bleeding, it is important to stop it as soon as possible. Apply light pressure to the affected area using a clean bandage, cloth, or dress.
In case of bleeding, be sure to call an ambulance or go to the emergency room
Step 3. Avoid realigning the bone
If it comes out or is deformed, do not try to put it back, under any circumstances. Stabilize it and go to the hospital, this way you will prevent further injury and discomfort.
Trying to realign the bone can make the injury worse and intensify the pain. It will also likely cause an infection
Step 4. Stabilize the broken arm
It is very important to avoid excessive movement, so as not to further damage the broken bone. Place a splint above and below the fracture to help stabilize it until you can be seen by a doctor.
- You can use different objects to make a splint, such as newspapers or rolled-up towels. Use a sling strap to keep the slats in place and remember to secure it tightly.
- Padding the splints can help relieve the discomfort.
Step 5. Apply an instant or regular ice pack to relieve pain and swelling
After wrapping the fractured area with a towel or cloth, make a cold compress. It can help keep pain and swelling in check until you can go to the doctor.
- Do not apply ice directly to the skin, otherwise you risk freezing it. Wrapping your arm with a cloth or towel can help prevent frostbite.
- Leave the cold pack on for 20 minutes. Repeat the treatment until you can go to the hospital or be seen by a doctor.
Step 6. See a doctor
Depending on the severity of the fracture, a cast, splint or brace may be needed to stabilize the affected area. Your doctor will be able to decide which treatment is best for your fracture.
- Your doctor will likely ask you a series of questions while examining your broken arm. These can relate to the symptoms, their intensity and when you feel the most intense pain.
- Your doctor may prescribe an X-ray or MRI to confirm which treatment is best for you.
Step 7. If it is a fracture that caused the bone to dislodge, the doctor will need to manipulate it to put it back in place
It can be painful, but the specialist can take steps to make the procedure as unpleasant as possible.
- Before fixing the bone, he may give you a muscle relaxant or sedative.
- You may need to wear a cast, brace, splint, or shoulder strap during the healing period.
Part 2 of 3: Coping with Daily Activities
Step 1. Remember to follow the principles illustrated by the English acronym RICE, which stands for rest ("rest)"), ice ("ice"), compression ("compression") and elevation ("elevation")
This can help you get through the day more easily and comfortably.
Step 2. Rest your arm throughout the day
Immobility can promote proper healing as well as prevent pain or discomfort.
Step 3. Make an ice pack to relieve swelling and pain
- Apply ice for 20 minutes whenever you feel it is necessary.
- Wrap the ice with a towel to protect the chalk from water.
- If it is too cold or the skin is numb, remove the ice.
Step 4. Compress the lesion
Wrap a compression band around your arm. It can help reduce swelling and relieve pain.
- Swelling can cause a loss of mobility - compression helps prevent it.
- Use the compression until the affected area stops swelling or until your doctor tells you to.
- Compression wraps and bandages are available in pharmacies and hypermarkets.
Step 5. Raise your arm above your heart
This reduces swelling and also helps maintain good mobility.
If you can't lift your arm, support it with pillows or furniture
Step 6. Protect the plaster from water
You will certainly have no problem avoiding swimming pools and hot tubs, but you still need to shower or bathe during the healing period. When you wash yourself (try this method), it is important to prevent the cast or brace from getting wet. This can help you heal properly and prevent skin infections or irritation.
- You can wrap the chalk in thick plastic, such as a garbage bag or cling film. Make sure you wrap it well and secure the plastic.
- To prevent the water from seeping from the inside, you can stick a small towel into the plaster. This not only ensures that the cast will stay intact, it also helps prevent skin irritation or infections.
- If the plaster gets slightly damp or wet, use a hair dryer. It will help you keep it whole. If it gets soaked, talk to your doctor about how to proceed.
Step 7. Put on practical clothes
Dressing with a broken arm can be especially difficult. Choose clothing that is easy to put on and take off, which won't bother you.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing with wide arm openings. It can also be easier to wear short-sleeved shirts or tank tops.
- If it's cold, you can wrap a sweater around the shoulder of the broken arm. This way you can keep your arm inside and stay warm.
- If you want to put on gloves but can't get them on, try wrapping your hand in a sock.
Step 8. Use the opposite hand and arm
If you have broken your dominant arm, use the other as much as possible. It may take some getting used to, but this can help you be more independent.
You can learn how to brush your teeth, hair, or use kitchen utensils with your non-dominant hand
Step 9. Get help
With a broken arm, it can be very difficult to do certain activities on your own. Try asking a friend or family member for help.
- You can ask a friend to take notes in class or to type documents on the computer. You can also ask teachers to give you permission to record lessons.
- You may also notice that strangers are more inclined to help you. From grocery shopping to leaving the doors open, take advantage of this to rest your arm.
- Avoid activities (such as driving) that strain you with a broken arm. Ask friends or family to give you a ride or take public transport.
Part 3 of 3: Promote Healing
Step 1. Avoid moving your arm excessively
Keeping it as still as possible can help the healing process. Whether you're wearing chalk or a simple sling, try to avoid excessive movement or banging your arm against objects.
- This is especially important if you have a fracture and your doctor is waiting for the swelling to subside to put on the cast.
- You may want to wait a few weeks before resuming your usual activities. Also, listen to what your doctor tells you.
Step 2. Control pain and discomfort by taking medication
The fracture can be quite painful. Taking pain relieving medications can help you relax and also help avoid moving your limb too much.
- You can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen. Ibuprofen and naproxen also help reduce swelling.
- Children and adolescents under the age of 18 should not take aspirin unless prescribed by a doctor.
- Similarly, you should avoid aspirin and other medicines that can thin the blood if the bone has pierced the skin or bleeding has occurred.
- If the pain is quite severe, your doctor may prescribe a pain reliever associated with a narcotic for a few days.
Step 3. Get physical therapy
In many cases, after the initial treatment, it is possible to begin rehabilitation relatively early. You can start with simple movements to reduce stiffness. Once the cast, brace or shoulder strap is removed, you can gradually move on to physical therapy itself.
- Do physical therapy only with your doctor's permission and supervision.
- Initial rehabilitation may include simple movements to promote blood circulation and prevent stiffness.
- Physiotherapy can help regain muscle tone, joint mobility, and flexibility after removing the cast or brace. Furthermore, it is effective following a surgical operation, obviously after passing the convalescence phase.
Step 4. If you have a severe fracture, you will need to undergo surgery
If you have a compound fracture or broken bone, an operation may be required. This will ensure that your arm will heal properly and will also reduce the risk of further fractures.
- During the operation, an orthopedic surgeon can insert fasteners to stabilize the bones (such as screws, nails, plates, and wires). They will help keep the bones in place during the healing process.
- Before the surgeon begins to insert and apply the fasteners, you will be given local anesthesia.
- Healing often depends on the severity of the fracture and how you treat it.
- After surgery, it may be necessary to undergo physiotherapy to recover muscle tone, flexibility and joint mobility.
Step 5. Eat foods that strengthen bones
A healthy diet with foods rich in calcium and vitamin D can help strengthen bones. It also allows you to take in the necessary nutrients to rebuild the bones of the arm and prevent future injuries.
- Calcium and vitamin D can work together to help strengthen bones.
- Some good sources of calcium: milk, spinach, soy beans, kale, cheese, and yogurt.
- If nutrition alone does not meet your needs, you can take calcium supplements, although you should try to assimilate as much as possible through food.
- Here are some good sources of vitamin D: salmon, tuna, beef liver, and egg yolk.
- As with calcium, you can get more vitamin D by taking supplements.
- Try eating foods fortified with calcium or vitamin D. Many fruit juices, such as grape or orange, contain these substances. Some dairy products are fortified with vitamin D.
Step 6. Do exercises to strengthen the bones
Many think only of muscles when exercising, but bones also benefit from physical activity. Those who play sports have a higher bone density than those who have a sedentary lifestyle. In addition, exercise helps improve balance and coordination, preventing falls and accidents.
- Try weight lifting, walking, hiking, jogging, stair climbing, tennis, and dancing to strengthen your bones and keep them healthy.
- Before embarking on an exercise program, be sure to talk to your doctor, especially if you have osteoporosis.
