How to Handle a Broken Arm

A broken arm is a common injury affecting both children and the elderly. The injury may involve one of the three bones in the arm: the humerus, ulna, or radius. To treat a broken arm, it's important to quickly manage the break, seek medical attention, and rest for proper healing.

Assess the Situation. Depending on the severity of the break, you may need to call emergency services or head to the hospital. Taking a moment to evaluate the situation before proceeding with treatment can help prevent further injury.

• You are more likely to have a broken arm if you hear a 'snap' or 'crack' sound.
• Other signs include severe pain, pain that increases with movement, swelling, bruising, deformity of the arm, and difficulty rotating the hand.
• Call emergency services or visit the hospital immediately if you notice any of the following: the victim is unresponsive, not breathing, or not moving; profuse bleeding; any touch or movement causes pain; numbness in the fingers or bruising at the fingertips; suspected fractures of the neck, head, or back; bone protruding through the skin; or a visibly deformed arm.
• If emergency services are unavailable, you can refer to Mytour's article on 'How to Perform First Aid for a Broken Bone'.

Cầm máu. Nếu chỗ gãy gây chảy máu, điều quan trọng là cầm máu càng sớm càng tốt. Dùng băng gạc, vải hoặc quần áo sạch ấn nhẹ lên chỗ chảy máu.

• Đảm bảo gọi cấp cứu hoặc đến bệnh viện nếu có hiện tượng chảy máu.

Tránh xếp lại xương. Nếu xương đâm ra ngoài hoặc bị biến dạng, bạn không nên xếp lại xương trong bất kỳ trường hợp nào. Đến bác sĩ và cố định cánh tay, hai việc này có thể ngăn ngừa tổn thương thêm và giúp bạn bớt khó chịu.

• Việc cố xếp lại xương có thể gây đau và tổn thương thêm, đồng thời có khả năng dẫn tới nhiễm trùng.

Cố định cánh tay gãy. Một điều vô cùng quan trọng là đảm bảo sự cử động không làm cánh tay gãy tổn thương thêm. Đặt nẹp bên trên và dưới chỗ gãy để cố định cho đến khi bạn được chăm sóc y tế.

• Bạn có thể dùng nhiều đồ vật để làm nẹp, chẳng hạn như tờ báo hoặc khăn tắm cuộn lại. Dùng băng dính hoặc quấn dây xung quanh cánh tay để cố định nẹp.
• Lót đệm lên nẹp có thể giúp bạn bớt khó chịu.

Chườm túi lạnh hoặc nước đá để giảm đau và sưng. Bọc nước đá vào khăn hoặc vải và chườm lên chỗ gãy. Điều này có thể giúp bớt đau và sưng cho đến khi bạn tới bác sĩ.

• Không đặt túi đá trực tiếp lên da vì có thể gây bỏng lạnh. Bọc túi đá trong khăn hoặc vải để ngăn ngừa bỏng lạnh.
• Chườm đá từng đợt mỗi lần 20 phút cho đến khi bạn có thể đến bác sĩ hoặc bệnh viện.

Đến bác sĩ. Tùy vào mức độ nghiêm trọng của chỗ gãy, bạn có thể phải bó bột, nẹp hoặc đệm để cố định vùng tổn thương. Bác sĩ có thể quyết định cách điều trị tốt nhất cho cánh tay gãy của bạn.

• Bác sĩ sẽ đặt nhiều câu hỏi trong khi kiểm tra cánh tay gãy của bạn, bao gồm các triệu chứng, mức độ nghiêm trọng của các triệu chứng và bất cứ yếu tố gì khiến cơn đau tăng lên.
• Bác sĩ có thể chỉ định chụp X-quang hoặc cộng hưởng từ (MRI) để xác định phương pháp điều trị tốt nhất.

Bone Realignment Procedure. If your bone is broken and displaced, the doctor may need to reposition the bone into its proper place. The process of realigning the bone can be painful, but the doctor will use methods to help you manage the discomfort during the procedure.

• The doctor may administer muscle relaxants or sedatives to ease the process of realignment.
• You may be fitted with a cast, splint, padding, or strap while you await recovery.

Remember the RICE Principle. It is essential to follow the RICE principle (Rest – rest, Ice – ice, Compression – compression, Elevation – elevation) in your daily routine. Adhering to RICE can help you manage your condition more easily and comfortably.

Let Your Arm Rest. Give your arm the opportunity to rest throughout the day. Immobilization can help the arm heal completely and may also prevent pain or discomfort.

Apply Ice. Applying an ice pack to the broken arm can help reduce swelling and ease pain.

• Apply ice as needed, with each session lasting about 20 minutes.
• Wrap the ice pack in a cloth to avoid wetting the cast.
• Remove the ice pack if it becomes too cold or if you experience numbness in the skin.

Apply Compression to the Injured Area. Wrap your arm with a bandage or elastic wrap. This will help reduce swelling and may also alleviate some of the pain.

• Swelling can impair movement, and compression can prevent this from happening.
• Keep the compression bandage on until the swelling subsides or as advised by your doctor.
• You can purchase compression bandages at any pharmacy or medical supply store.

Elevate the Arm Above Heart Level. Raising the arm above heart level can help reduce swelling and maintain mobility.

• If you can't raise the arm, try resting it on a stack of pillows or another elevated surface.

Keep the Cast Dry. While avoiding swimming or soaking in hot water is easy, showering or bathing can be a bit trickier during the healing process. When you need to shower or bathe (or even wipe yourself down), make sure the cast remains dry. This will help your arm heal properly and prevent skin infections or irritation.

• Wrap your cast in a thick plastic bag, such as a garbage bag, or use cling film to ensure it stays dry.
• You can also cover the cast with a towel to prevent any water from seeping in. This not only protects the cast but also helps avoid skin irritation or infections.
• If your cast gets wet, use a hairdryer to dry it. If it is completely soaked, contact your doctor for advice.

Wear Suitable Clothing. Dressing with a broken arm can be challenging. Choose clothing that will make it easier to put on without causing discomfort.

• Opt for loose-fitting clothes with wide sleeves. Short-sleeve shirts or tank tops may be easier to wear.
• If it's cold, consider draping a sweater over your injured arm. The arm inside the sweater will stay warm.
• If you want to wear gloves but can't get your hand into them, try using socks over your hand instead.

Use Your Other Arm and Hand. If the broken arm is your dominant one, use your non-dominant hand as much as possible. It may take some time to adjust, but this will help reduce your reliance on the injured arm.

• You can practice brushing your teeth, combing your hair, or using kitchen utensils with your non-dominant hand.

Ask for Assistance. There are certain tasks that may be difficult to perform on your own with a broken arm. Don't hesitate to ask friends or family for help when your arm is immobilized.

• Ask friends to take notes in class or type up documents. You could also check with your teacher about recording the lectures.
• You may notice that even strangers may offer to assist, from carrying groceries to holding the door for you. Take advantage of these opportunities to let your arm rest.
• Avoid complex activities. Tasks like driving can be tricky with a broken arm. You might want to ask friends or family for rides, or use public transportation.

Limit Movement. The less you move your arm, the better it will heal. Whether you're in a cast or just using a sling, it's important to minimize movement and avoid bumping it into things.

• This is especially crucial if your arm is broken and the doctor is waiting for the swelling to subside before applying a cast.
• You may need to wait a few weeks before resuming normal activities, until your doctor gives the go-ahead.

Take Pain Relievers to Ease Pain and Discomfort. You may experience some discomfort or intense pain after a broken arm. Pain relievers can help you relax and prevent excessive movement of the arm.

• You can take over-the-counter pain medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or acetaminophen. Ibuprofen and naproxen sodium can also help reduce swelling.
• Children and adolescents under 18 should avoid taking aspirin unless prescribed by a doctor.
• Avoid taking aspirin or other blood-thinning medications if your bone is exposed or bleeding.
• If you're experiencing severe pain, your doctor may prescribe a narcotic pain reliever for a few days.

Go to a Rehabilitation Center or Physical Therapy. In many cases, rehabilitation therapy can begin fairly soon after the initial treatment. You might start with simple movements to reduce stiffness, and gradually progress to physical therapy once your cast, splint, or sling is removed.

• Only start rehabilitation exercises under your doctor's approval and guidance.
• Early rehabilitation might include basic movements to promote circulation and reduce stiffness.
• Physical therapy can help restore muscle strength, joint mobility, and flexibility after the cast is removed or following surgery recovery.

Surgery for Severe Arm Fractures. You may require surgery if your arm is severely fractured or the bones are completely displaced. Surgery helps ensure proper healing and minimizes the risk of complications from the fracture.

• During surgery, the doctor may use stabilizing devices like pins, screws, metal plates, and wires to secure the bones. These devices help keep the bones in place during recovery.
• You will receive local anesthesia while the doctor places the stabilizing devices.
• The recovery time depends on the severity of the fracture and how well you care for your healing arm.
• Physical therapy may be necessary to regain muscle strength, flexibility, and joint movement after surgery.

Eat Foods that Strengthen Bones. A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D can help fortify your bones. This will also provide the essential nutrients to rebuild your arm bones and prevent future fractures.

• Calcium and vitamin D work together to enhance bone health.
• Calcium-rich sources include milk, spinach, soybeans, kale, cheese, and yogurt.
• If your diet doesn't provide enough calcium, you can take calcium supplements, though it's still recommended to get as much as possible from whole foods.
• Rich sources of vitamin D include salmon, tuna, beef liver, and egg yolks.
• Just like calcium, you can take vitamin D supplements to enhance your intake.
• Consider fortified foods, as many fruit juices, like grape or orange juice, may contain added calcium or vitamin D. Some dairy products are also fortified with vitamin D.

Engage in Weight-Bearing Exercises to Strengthen Bones. Although most people associate exercise with building muscles, bones also respond to physical activity. People who exercise regularly tend to have higher bone density, and exercise also aids balance and coordination, which can help prevent falls and accidents.

• Try weight-bearing exercises like walking, hiking, running, stair climbing, tennis, and dancing to maintain and strengthen your bones.
• Be sure to consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program, especially if you have osteoporosis.

• Always wear protective gear when playing sports or participating in activities like cycling, rollerblading, etc.