Broken Arm: Treatment by Specialist Required Unless Leading to Deformity

The arm bones consist of two main parts: the humerus (upper arm bone) and the forearm bones. The forearm contains two bones – the radius (on the thumb side) and the ulna (on the pinky side).
A broken arm can occur at different locations: proximal (near the elbow), mid-shaft, or distal (near the wrist).
Main causes of broken arm bones include severe accidents such as car crashes, hard impacts to the arm, falling and using the arm to brace impact, sports with high contact. In elderly patients with osteoporosis, even minor impacts can cause arm fractures.
A broken arm typically presents with pain in the arm area after an accident or trauma, increased pain when moving the wrist or elbow, and swelling, deformity, or inability to move the arm. When both bones are fractured, visible deformity is often apparent.
First aid for a broken arm includes immobilizing the arm with a splint or sling and avoiding movement of the fractured arm, followed by immediate medical attention.
Diagnosis of a broken arm involves physical examination combined with X-rays to determine the location and pattern of the fracture before planning treatment.
Treatment approaches for broken arms are divided into two main categories: non-surgical treatment with casting for non-displaced fractures (such as an isolated ulna fracture), and surgical treatment involving bone realignment and internal fixation with metal implants for multiple fractures or displaced fractures.
Broken arm surgery at kdms Orthopedic Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, provides patients with treatment from specialized hand and wrist surgeons, along with a physical therapy team offering guidance to help patients regain normal arm function as much as possible.

The arm bones are divided into the humerus (upper arm) and the forearm bones. The forearm consists of two bones: the radius (on the thumb side) and the ulna (on the pinky side). Broken arms can occur at various locations: proximal, mid-shaft, or distal fractures.

Mid-shaft forearm fractures can occur in several patterns: fracture of either the radius or ulna alone, or fractures of both bones. Main causes include severe impact from hard objects striking the arm, road accidents, falling and using the arm to brace impact, and sports with high contact. Additionally, the elderly aged 60 and above with osteoporosis have a higher risk of arm fractures compared to the general population.

Let’s explore the causes of broken arms, complications, treatment approaches from specialized physicians, and self-care methods to prevent arm fractures in this article.

Table of Contents

Broken Arm: What Are the Symptoms?

The primary symptoms of a broken arm include pain in the arm area following an accident or impact. If the bone is fractured, patients will experience more severe pain than usual, including pain when making a fist, moving the wrist, or bending the elbow. The fracture pattern itself can also affect the level of pain – partial fractures with hairline cracks cause less pain than complete fractures.

In patients with fractures of both forearm bones (radius and ulna), visible arm deformity will be able to be observed externally. Even single-bone fractures with displacement can also show visible deformity.

Which Type of a Broken Arm Should You See a Doctor?

If you observe symptoms consistent with a bone fracture – such as arm pain, swelling, or inability to move – seek immediate medical attention for prompt treatment.

What Causes a Broken Arm?

Broken arms can occur in both young people and the elderly, though the causes typically differ:

Broken arms in younger individuals result from severe impacts to the arm, road accidents, sports with high contact, and accidents involving falls where the arm is used to break the fall.

Broken arms in elderly individuals often occur in those with reduced bone density or osteoporosis. When the arm is impacted or during a fall, even minor impact can cause arm fractures more easily than in younger people.

Complications from a Broken Arm

When an arm fracture results from severe accidents, there may be associated blood vessel or nerve injuries. Additionally, patients with open fractures are at risk of infection. After the fracture, blood accumulation or muscle swelling may occur, increasing pressure within the arm compartment. It also potentially compresses blood vessels, leading to poor blood circulation.

First Aid for a Broken Arm

When an arm is fractured, doctors recommend using a long splint from the elbow extending past the wrist to keep the arm as immobile as possible. If splinting materials are unavailable, a sling can be used to support the arm and keep it close to the body.

Medical Diagnosis of a Broken Arm

H2: Medical Diagnosis of a Broken Arm

Initial diagnosis begins with taking a history to determine the cause of the fracture, followed by physical examination. Beyond identifying swelling and pain, doctors will palpate the painful area to check whether bone irregularities, rough surfaces, or abnormal dislocation occur, which can indicate a fracture. The doctor will then order X-rays to identify the fracture pattern, which will guide the treatment approach.

Treatment Options for a Broken Arm

Most broken arm cases are treated surgically, though non-surgical treatment with casting is also possible in certain cases. Details of both treatment approaches are as follows:

Non-surgical treatment method

Non-surgical broken arm treatment, or casting, is appropriate in only one scenario: non-displaced ulna fractures. The doctor will apply a cast until the bone heals, then schedule cast removal and physical therapy as recommended to restore normal arm function.

Surgical treatment method

Surgical broken arm treatment involves open reduction (bone realignment) followed by internal fixation with metal implants. This is indicated for fractures of both the radius and ulna, or fractures with bone dislocation. The procedure varies depending on the specific fracture but generally includes these steps:

The patient receives general anesthesia or regional anesthesia before surgery begins
An incision is made, with size depending on the fracture pattern
Once the fractured bone is exposed, the surgeon realigns the bone to restore normal anatomy as closely as possible
Metal implants are used to fix the proximal and distal bone fragments together
X-rays are taken to confirm proper bone alignment
The incision is closed

Generally, after broken arm surgery, patients do not need to wear a cast and can begin moving the hand, wrist, and elbow immediately.

Pre-operative preparation for broken arm surgery

Blood tests to check blood cell counts
Chest X-ray for anesthesia preparation
Fasting from food and water for 8 hours before surgery
Pre-operative evaluation by an internist, for elderly patients, to assess risks from underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or coronary artery disease

Recovery after broken arm surgery

After broken arm surgery, patients will gradually improve and should follow these self-care guidelines:

Keep the surgical wound dry. The doctor will schedule follow-up appointments to change dressings at 1 week and remove sutures at 2 weeks post-surgery
Before suture removal, the doctor will recommend gentle exercises including hand movements, sets of making fists and opening hands, and elbow movements to reduce swelling and prevent joint stiffness
After suture removal, the doctor will recommend joint mobilization exercises if stiffness is present to improve function
Avoid smoking after surgery as it may delay bone healing
Take calcium supplements for bone health
After 1 month, patients can begin light use of the hand and arm, such as picking up or holding objects
Bone healing is typically complete at 3 months, when patients can resume normal arm and hand activities
For elderly patients, doctors recommend additional bone density testing

Long-term treatment outcomes

If patients have metal implants in the bone or arm, they can achieve nearly 100% function after bone healing. However, the bone adjacent to the metal may be thinner than normal, making it more susceptible to fracture. Doctors recommend that younger patients who have achieved good bone healing return to the hospital for implant removal later.

The Perks of Choosing kdms Orthopedic Hospital for Broken Arm Surgery

kdms Orthopedic Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, offers broken arm treatment from physicians specialized in hand and wrist surgery. Therefore, you can be confident that our treatment minimizes other surgical risks. We also have a physical therapy team providing guidance to ensure efficient broken arm treatment and maximum restoration of normal function.

In Summary

Broken arms result from daily life accidents, including severe impacts and falls where the arm is used to break the fall. In elderly patients with bone-related conditions such as osteoporosis or reduced bone density, the conditions make normal impacts to the arm area more likely to cause fractures. Patients with broken arms typically experience pain, swelling, and tightness in the arm area, with some cases showing bone deformity. If these symptoms occur, seek prompt treatment from a medical specialist for diagnosis and appropriate treatment approaches.

Typically, broken arm treatment involves surgery with metal implant fixation, requiring approximately 3 months of recovery before normal arm function returns. During this period, doctors will recommend gentle physical therapy including wrist and elbow movements. For younger patients whose normal arm function is restored, doctors will recommend implant removal to prevent possible fractures at the implant sites as these areas have thinner bones than surrounding regions.

Receive broken arm treatment at kdms Orthopedic Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, our team of medical specialists provides close consultation and care throughout the pre-operative, operative, and post-operative phases to efficiently restore normal arm function.

An article by Supakorn Buranawongtrakoon, M.D., Experienced Hand, Wrist, and Arm Surgeon

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