Causes and risk factors
Humerus, radius, ulna are the long bones. Fracture can occur at proximal, distal end or the shaft. The common causes of fracture in arm are falls, especially on outstretched hand, road traffic accident, sports injury, overuse of bones. Weight training exercises without supervision can lead to this fracture. Fracture at the wrist, radius, ulna are common known as colle’s fracture.
Clinical presentation
Broken arm can be of various types. Various kinds of fracture are – stress, undisplaced, displaced, comminuted, and compound fracture. A stress fracture presents as tiny cracks in the bone. It is caused due to overuse of bones. Pathological fractures are stress fractures like those seen in infection, osteomalacia, and osteoporosis. Undisplaced is a hairline fracture where there is little damage to surrounding tissue along with fracture. Displaced fracture is one in which bone is broken apart, moves away from its normal alignment. Comminuted fracture consists of bone broken into several pieces with or without displaced fragments. In compound fracture, the bone makes a breakthrough through muscles and skin, exposing the inner structures and broken bone. Clinical presentation of a broken arm severe excruciating pain which is worse by slight movement, unable to move the arm, swelling, tenderness, deformity in the broken arm. Any movement of arm is impossible and painful.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and Clinical examination by the orthopaedic doctor helps in diagnosis. X ray of the arm is recommended which confirms the diagnosis. Imaging studies such as CT scan and MRI is useful for further evaluation.
Treatment
Treatment depends upon the type of fracture. Principles of the treatment involves immobilisation [by applying plaster cast, or traction], reduction [alignment of the separated broken bone ends] which can be open or closed, internal fixation [fixing the broken bone with help of implants such as screws, plates or rods] and rehabilitation. Stress and undisplaced fractures require only immobilisation whereas displaced, comminuted and compound fractures need open reduction and internal fixation [ORIF]. Supportive care such as physiotherapy is given to prevent further complications and improve the movement post surgery. Oral medications such as analgesics, NSAIDs are required.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating broken arm. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly the ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating broken arm.
