First Aid For A Broken Arm Or Wrist

Fact Checked

Overview

When an arm or wrist is broken, it is usually caused by a fall or a forceful collision. It normally takes six to eight weeks in adults to heal and less time in children.

Cracks and breaks found in the bones are phrased as fractures by medics. Despite most people understanding ‘fractures’ as a crack rather than as a clean break, this article will use the terms break and ‘cracks’ to depict both.

When an arm or wrist is broken, it is usually caused by a fall or a forceful collision. It normally takes six to eight weeks in adults to heal and less time in children.
When an arm or wrist is broken, it is usually caused by a fall or a forceful collision. It normally takes six to eight weeks in adults to heal and less time in children.

In any case, you have a feeling that you might be having a broken or cracked bone in your arm, or you think your child has; proceed to your nearest hospital accident and emergency department as quickly as possible. If the injury appears to be severe, quickly dial for ambulance services.

Is My Arm or Wrist Broken?

Broken or cracked arm bone is characterized by an extreme pain as well as;

  • Bleeding in case the bone injured the skin and tissue
  • Injured area being swollen all round

When it is just a crack in the bone, one may think the swelling and pain is due to a torn tendon. Having the arm x-rayed in the hospital is a better way to be sure that the bone is or is not injured or damaged.

Treating a broken arm or wrist.

  • Treatment of a broken arm or wrist is mainly done under the department of hospital accident and emergency. The degree of the injury is what determines the extent of the treatment
  • The doctor will first give you or your child painkillers then he or she will attach a splint with the aim of securing it into its rightful position to prevent further damage or injury.
  • After that, the doctor will recommend an x-ray of the arm to be taken in order for him or her to evaluate the type of fracture it is.Whether it is a cracked bone or in other words called the hairline fracture, the x-ray should still show it up faintly.
  • Your doctor will go ahead and apply a plaster cast to the arm or wrist if it is a minor break or crack.This will be done with the aim of holding together the broken terminus while they heal. This process is simply referred to as closed reduction since there will be no incision needed. Another method that may be used is referred to as local or regional anesthetic where you won’t feel any pain since the arm will be numbed (this is rarely used in children). Also, general anesthetic may be used where you are put to sleep.
  • After all these processes where the bones have been adjusted and the arm bandaged and set into a plaster cast, the doctor will then secure the arm with a chest sling.

Are you Recovering from a Broken Wrist or Arm?

It is important for adults recovering from broken wrist or arm to undergo physiotherapy after the bone has recovered so as to strengthen the arm muscles and reestablish full movement. This therapy is rarely done to children.

Related Video On Broken Arm or Wrist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG6u-y3x8Mw

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • All firstaidrenewal.ca content is reviewed by a medical professional and / sourced to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

  • We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable websites, academic research institutions and medical articles.

  • If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please contact us through our contact us page.

The information posted on this page is for educational purposes only.
If you need medical advice or help with a diagnosis contact a medical professional