Content

• Steps
• Advice

A fracture is a common injury in both young children and the elderly. You may break one of the three bones that make up the arm: the humerus, the ulna, or the radial bone (radius). To repair a broken arm, you need to quickly treat the fracture, seek medical attention and rest for a while to heal.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Getting treatment

1. 

   Assess situation. Depending on the severity of the fracture, you may call an ambulance or go to the hospital. A minute spent assessing the situation before choosing a treatment can help prevent further injury.
   • You are more likely to break your arm if you hear a "click" or "crack" sound.
   • Other signs of a fracture are severe pain, pain that may increase with movement, swelling, bruising, arm disfigurement, or difficulty holding or tilting the hand.
   • Call 911 or go to the hospital as soon as possible if you notice any of the following: Victim is unresponsive, is not breathing or is not moving; bleeding profusely; even slight pressure or slight movement can cause pain; numbness of the tip of the limb where the limb is fractured (such as fingers) or bruising the fingertips; you suspect a broken bone in your neck, head, or back; if the bone emerges from the skin; or a deformed arm.
   • If you can't access emergency services, check out wikiHow's article "How to give first aid in a broken bone".

2. 

   
   
   Stop bleeding. If the break is causing bleeding, it is important to stop the bleeding as soon as possible. Use gauze, cloth, or clean clothing to gently press on the bleeding.
   • Be sure to call an ambulance or go to the hospital if bleeding occurs.

3. 

   Avoid folding bones. If the bone is punctured or deformed, under no circumstances should the bone be folded. Seeing a doctor and fixing your arm can help prevent further damage and relieve your discomfort.
   • Trying to rearrange bones can cause further pain and damage, and potentially lead to infection.

4. 

   
   
   Fixed broken arm. It is extremely important to make sure that movement does not further damage the broken arm. Place the brace above and below the fracture to stay in place until you get medical attention.
   • You can use a variety of objects for splints, such as newspapers or rolled up towels. Use duct tape or wrap the wire around the arm to fix the splint.
   • Putting a cushion on the brace can help relieve discomfort.

5. 

   
   
   Use an ice pack or ice pack to relieve pain and swelling. Wrap ice in a towel or cloth and place it on the break. This can help relieve pain and swelling until you see your doctor.
   • Do not place the ice pack directly on the skin as it may cause cold burns. Wrap an ice pack in a towel or cloth to prevent cold burns.
   • Use ice packs for 20 minutes at a time until you can see your doctor or hospital.

6. 

   Go to the doctor. Depending on the severity of the fracture, you may need a cast, splint, or cushion to immobilize the area. Your doctor can decide the best treatment for your broken arm.
   • Your doctor will ask many questions while examining your broken arm, including your symptoms, the severity of symptoms, and whatever causes the pain to increase.
   • Your doctor may order an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to determine the best treatment.

7. 

   Bone-folding procedure. If your bone is broken and out of position, your doctor may have to put the bone in its correct place. The bone placement process can be painful, but your doctor will have a way to help you through the procedure.
   • Your doctor may give you muscle relaxers or tranquilizers for the reshaping procedure.
   • You may have a cast, splint, cushion, or strap while you are waiting for recovery.
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Part 2 of 3: Getting around in everyday activities

1. 

   Remember the RICE principle. It is important to remember in everyday activities the principle of RICE (Rest - Rest, Ice - Ice, Compression - Ice, Elevation - Raise). Following the RICE principles can make it easier and more comfortable to manage.

2. 

   Rest your arms. Give your arms a chance to rest. During the day Being inactive can help your arm recover completely and can also prevent pain or discomfort.

3. 

   Apply ice. Applying an ice pack to a broken arm can help reduce swelling and pain.
   • Apply ice as needed, for 20 minutes each time.
   • Wrap the ice pack in a towel to keep the powder from getting wet.
   • Lift the ice pack if it feels too cold or if your skin is numb.

4. 

   Apply pressure to the injured area. Wrap your arm with a bandage or an elastic band. This helps to reduce swelling and can also ease pain.
   • Swelling can cause loss of mobility, and compression can help prevent it.
   • Use compresses until the swelling stops or as advised by your doctor.
   • You can buy a compression bandage at any pharmacy or medical equipment store.

5. 

   Keep your arm above heart level. Raising your arms above heart level can reduce swelling and maintain movement.
   • If you can't raise your arm, you can place it on top of pillows or on the surface of objects.

6. 

   Do not let the outer powder layer wet. Swimming or soaking in hot water can be easy to avoid, but a shower or bath can be a bit difficult to avoid while waiting for your arm to heal. When showering or taking a tub bath (you can try a wash bath), it is important not to get the powder that covers your arms from getting wet. This helps the arm heal and ensures no skin infections or irritation.
   • You can wrap your arm in a thick plastic bag, such as a garbage bag or even a plastic wrap. Make sure to securely cover the entire layer of powder.
   • You can also wrap a towel over the powder to prevent water from leaking in. This not only protects the powder, but also helps prevent skin irritation or infection.
   • If the powder is wet, you can use a hair dryer to dry it. This way the dough can be kept intact. If the dough gets soaked, call your doctor and ask what to do.

7. 

   Wear appropriate clothing. Getting dressed when your arm is broken can be very difficult. You should choose appropriate clothing to easily put your hands on without causing discomfort.
   • Wear loose-fitting clothing with wide sleeves. Short sleeves or tank tops may be easier to wear.
   • If it is cold, you can put a sweater over the shoulder with the sore arm. The arm hidden inside the sweater will be kept warm.
   • If you want to wear gloves but can't get in your hands, try using socks on your hands.

8. 

   Use the other arm and hand. If your broken hand is dominant hand, use your other hand as much as possible. It may take a while to get used to, but it will reduce your dependency.
   • You can learn to brush your teeth, brush your hair, or use kitchen utensils with your non-dominant hand.

9. 

   Thanks to everyone for help. There are some activities you will find difficult to do alone with a broken arm. You can ask a friend or relative for help while your arm is motionless.
   • Ask a friend to copy or type documents. You can also ask the teacher if the lecture is recorded.
   • You will find that strangers can also offer to help when your arm is broken, from carrying food bags to keeping the door for you. Take advantage of such opportunities to give your arms a break.
   • Avoid complex activities. Some activities like driving can be difficult with a broken arm. You can take a friend or relative, or take public transport.
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Part 3 of 3: Accelerate the healing process

1. 

   Limit your movement. The more motionless the arm is, the better it will be for recovery. Whether you are in cast or just using a strap, make an effort to avoid moving a lot or hitting objects.
   • This is especially important if you have a broken arm and your doctor is waiting for your hand to reduce swelling so that the cast can be applied.
   • You may need to wait a few weeks to get back to normal activities until your doctor says so.

2. 

   Take medicine to relieve pain and discomfort. You may experience some pain or severe pain with a fracture. Pain relievers can help you relax and not move your hands too much.
   • You can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or acetaminophen. Ibuprofen and naproxen sodium may also help reduce swelling.
   • Children and adolescents under the age of 18 should not take aspirin unless authorized by their doctor.
   • You should also avoid aspirin and other medications that can thin the blood if a broken bone cuts through the skin or bleeds.
   • If you have a lot of pain, your doctor may prescribe a narcotic pain reliever for a few days.

3. 

   Go to rehabilitation or physical therapy. In many cases, rehabilitation therapy can be started fairly soon after initial treatment. You can start with simple movements to minimize stiffness, and gradually practice physiotherapy once you've had the cast, brace, or strap removed.
   • Rehabilitation practice only under the permission and guidance of your doctor.
   • Early rehabilitation treatment may involve simple movements to promote blood circulation and help relieve stiffness.
   • Physiotherapy can help you restore muscle strength, joint movement, and flexibility when dough is removed or recovering from surgery.

4. 

   Surgery for a serious fracture. You may need surgery if your arm has a complicated fracture or has a broken bone. Surgery can help make sure your arm heals properly and reduce the risk of consequences from a fracture.
   • During surgery, your doctor may place immobilizers to stabilize the bone. Bone-fixing devices include nails, screws, metal foil, and steel wire.These devices help keep bones in position during recovery.
   • During the surgery, you will receive local anesthesia when the device is fixed by the doctor.
   • The time it takes to recover usually depends on the severity and how you care for your broken arm.
   • You may need physical therapy to restore muscle strength, flexibility, and movement of your joints after surgery.

5. 

   Eat foods that help keep your bones strong. A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D foods can help strengthen bones. This will also provide the nutrients needed to rebuild the arm bones and prevent fractures.
   • Calcium and vitamin D can work together to make bones stronger.
   • Good sources of calcium include milk, spinach, soybeans, kale, cheese and yogurt.
   • You can take calcium supplements if your diet doesn't provide enough calcium, but you should still try to get as much calcium from whole foods as possible.
   • Good sources of vitamin D include salmon, tuna, beef liver and egg yolks.
   • As with calcium, you can take vitamin D supplements to add to your diet.
   • Consider calcium and vitamin D fortified foods. Many juices such as grapes or oranges can contain calcium or vitamin D. Some dairy products are also fortified with vitamin D.

6. 

   Do resistance exercises to keep bones strong. Although most people think of muscles when they exercise, bones actually respond to exercise. People who exercise tend to have a higher bone density than non-exercisers, and exercise also helps with balance and coordination, which can help prevent falls and accidents.
   • Try weight training, walking, hiking, running, climbing stairs, playing tennis and dancing to maintain and strengthen your bones.
   • Be sure to check with your doctor before starting an exercise program, especially if you have osteoporosis.
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Advice

• Always wear protective gear when playing sports or participating in activities such as cycling, roller skating, etc.