Accidents happen, and one of the more common injuries is a broken arm. Whether it's a simple fracture or a more complex break, understanding what to expect and how to manage it is crucial for a smooth recovery process. Let's chat about the various aspects of a broken arm, including its causes, types, treatment options, and tips for a successful recovery. You need to know what to expect and get back to living!
Let's start at the beginning- your arm is made up of 3 main bones: your humerus which is your upper arm bone and then your radius and ulna which both make up your forearm.
A broken arm typically refers to a fracture in one or more of these bones that make up the arm. The break can occur at any point along these bones, resulting in different types of fractures.
Types of Arm Fractures
Simple Fracture: This involves a clean break with minimal displacement of bone fragments- aka although broken nothing is out of place! This will most likely be a smooth recovery!
Compound Fracture: In this case, the broken bone pierces through the skin, which can lead to a higher risk of infection and longer healing times.
Comminuted Fracture: This type involves the bone breaking into several pieces, often requiring more extensive treatment to make sure everything gets aligned back up to its proper position for good recovery.
Greenstick Fracture: Common in children, a greenstick fracture is an incomplete break, where the bone bends but doesn't break all the way.
Think it's broken? Get it checked!
If you suspect a broken arm, it's crucial to seek immediate medical attention pretty quickly. A healthcare professional will conduct a physical examination and may order imaging tests like X-rays to confirm the diagnosis. Letting a bone heal without getting treatment could result in loss of motion, function, nerve damage or ultimately require surgery to correct it. No shame in going to get x-rays people!
Treatment Options
Casting: For simple fractures, a cast may be applied to immobilize the arm, allowing the bones to heal naturally over time- usually about 6 weeks but everyone and every bone is different!
Surgery: Complex fractures or those with significant displacement may require surgical intervention to realign and stabilize the bones using plates, screws, or rods. This ensures everything heals in the proper position
Physical or Occupational Therapy: Post-cast removal, physical therapy plays a crucial role in regaining strength, range of motion, and functionality in the affected arm. DON'T SKIP THIS PART! if you want full function we will help you get there quicker then you doing it yourself, I promise
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Recovery from a broken arm involves patience, care, and adherence to medical advice. Working with a therapist will help you to regain full motion and strength in your arm.
As soon as you can, start therapy! Even when you are still in a cast we can help you exercise the surrounding joints to decreased compensatory movements and stiffness. That way as soon as the cast comes off we can focus right on that area, rather than have to worry about other areas at the same time.
Once the cast comes off treatment will start with ensuring your swelling and pain is down. Once we can check this off we progress to improving motion, using stretching, massage and joint mobilizations we help to slowly stretch out joints and ligaments that got tight while stuck in the cast. Once we have achieve great joint motion we progress to strengthening. Getting those muscle to wake back up and work properly is crucial for a full recovery. It is normal to have some muscles that are tighter than others after the cast comes off- this can cause muscle imbalance which can pull a joint out of alignment. Having a skilled therapist watch your movement and offer tweaks and suggestions means you won't re-learn the movement wrong! Because guess what- how your bones healed is always slightly different. You will never healing 100% the same it was before- and thats OK! Your body and brain is amazing at adjusting. But this means your brain needs to fire those muscles slightly differently to achieve the same movement. It's like relearning to walk. So take the time and put the effort in to re-learn the movements THE RIGHT WAY!
A broken arm can be a challenging experience, and everyone is different! What done you break, and where you break it affect what recovery will look like. Getting proper medical attention, treatment, and rehabilitation, will help you regain full functionality over time. Need personalized help? Send us a message to set up a virtual session and work with you arm specialist.