What does breaking an arm mean?
The term “broken arm” may refer to a fracture in any of these bones. A broken arm involves one or more of the three bones in your arm — the ulna, radius and humerus. One of the most common causes of a broken arm is falling onto an outstretched hand.
What happens when a child breaks their arm?
A simple break in the arm is usually treated with a splint or cast, while more complex breaks may require surgery. With proper treatment, broken arms can heal completely. Full use of the arm is often regained within a couple weeks after the final cast is removed.
What to do when your child breaks their arm?
What to Do
- Take clothing off the injured area.
- Apply an ice pack wrapped in cloth.
- Keep the injured limb in the position you find it.
- Put a simple splint on the broken area if you have one. A splint holds the bone still.
- Get medical care.
- Don’t let your child eat or drink in case they need surgery.
What are the 6 acute injuries?
What is an Acute Injury?
- Wrist fractures.
- Ankle sprains.
- Shoulder dislocations.
- Hamstring muscle sprains.
Why do children’s bones break so easily?
Collagen is a protein in your body that forms and strengthens bones. If you don’t have enough of it, your bones become very weak and will break easily. Most children with brittle bone disease get this gene from only one parent, but it’s possible to get it from both.
Is a broken arm an emergency?
A broken arm includes fractures to any part of the arm, including the shoulder, elbow, wrist and joints. These fractures are sometimes compound, meaning they involve skin wounds from the broken bone. A broken arm is a medical emergency, as an untreated fractured arm can lead to serious, long-term complications.
What is a direct injury?
Direct injuries are caused by an external force or collision, which is produced by a source outside of the body. For example: an injury caused when a ball or an opposing player makes contact with the athlete’s body. Direct injuries can cause fractures, sprains, bruising, dislocation and internal bleeding.
How do you tell if a child’s arm is fractured?
If you think your child has a fracture, they may have the following symptoms:
- pain or tenderness at the injury site.
- swelling or redness around the injury.
- deformity (unusual shape) of the injured area.
- not wanting to move or use the injured area.