The arm contains three bones: the humerus, ulna, and radius. A broken or fractured arm will involve these bones, though it is more common to break the bones in the forearm, which are the ulna and radius. Depending on the cause of the fracture, it is possible to break all three arm bones at once.
You can sometimes assess a broken arm visually, as there is usually some swelling and discoloration/bruising present. Some people also detect a bump or deformity under the skin. In severe cases, the bone may actually pierce through the skin. A broken or fractured arm may also cause the following symptoms:
Keep in mind that a fractured arm may not cause intense symptoms if the break is not severe. In this case, the above effects may be subtler and easy to miss.
Physical trauma is the leading cause of arm fractures, and this trauma often results from car accidents, sports injuries, and falls. Additionally, some people have a higher chance of broken arms than others based on the following factors:
Certain medical conditions, including osteoporosis, make fractures more likely as well, as they reduce bone density. Because osteoporosis does not usually cause symptoms, many people only discover the issue after experiencing a fracture.
Casting is a common treatment for broken arms with non-displaced fractures, which means that the broken bones have largely remained in place. You will need to wear the cast or splint until the bones fuse back together, which typically takes weeks or longer. More severe fractures will require surgery, during which the surgeon will reset the bones to ensure they heal in the proper position. Surgical hardware is sometimes necessary to keep the bones in place, and this hardware may be placed permanently or removed after the bone tissue has healed.