Arms and legs are the longest bones in the body. The strength of these bones allows us to stand upright, carry heavy loads and function in general. Trauma, such as that from a car accident, sports injury or a fall, especially in the elderly, can cause a broken bone or fracture.
Falling on an outstretched hand or being in a car crash or some other type of accident is usually the cause of a broken arm. Most people know right away if their arm is broken, because there may be a snap or a loud cracking sound. The broken arm may appear deformed and be swollen, bruised and bleeding. A person with a broken arm usually has:
- Extreme pain at the site of the injury
- Pain increased by any movement
- Loss of normal use of the arm
Here are some examples of common arm fractures:
Normally, a bone is set by a doctor and put into a cast to immobilize the extremity and promote healing. Healing may take several weeks to several months. Delayed healing caused by diabetes, smoking or other unhealthy conditions may warrant the use of electrical bone growth stimulation.
Humeral Nonunions
A broken arm is one of the most common orthopedic injuries, especially in children and in athletes. The upper arm bone, called the humerus, is less commonly injured and accounts for approximately 3% of all fractures. Most humeral fractures are treated with immobilization using a cast. However due to the inability to fully immobilize the upper arm, surgeons may consider surgery for a greater chance of healing properly. A nonunion may occur, requiring repeat surgery, external fixation, or electrical bone growth stimulation.