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Whenever a person trips and takes a fall, their natural instinct is to extend their arm to help catch themselves or brace for impact with the ground. However, such action often results in an accidental arm injury due to the extended arm buckling under a person’s bodyweight.

If you have injured your arm and are worried that you’ve suffered a fracture, then look for these signs to determine if it’s just a sprain or if you have a broken arm.

Broken Arm Symptoms

When an arm breaks, you may hear a snap, pop, or cracking sound. It’s also possible to notice a visible deformity, such as a bent wrist or protruding bone under the skin. However, hairline fractures may not show these signs, so you must look for the following less obvious symptoms to determine if your arm is broken after a serious injury occurs. A few signs your arm may be broken include:

• Severe, sudden pain that increases with movement
• Bruising
• Swelling
• Decreased range of motion

Regardless of symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as you notice your injury. The quicker the injury is diagnosed and treated, the quicker the recovery will be.

Causes of a Broken Arm

A broken arm occurs when one of your three arm bones—the ulna, the radius or the humerus—is fractured. These three bones are commonly broken due to:

1. Falls – Falling on an outstretched hand is the most common way to break your arm.
2. Sports Injuries – Contact and high-intensity sports, such as football, soccer, or gymnastics, can put you at risk of receiving a hard hit and fracturing your arm.
3. Trauma-Related Injuries – Car or bike accidents can cause a broken arm, as well as any other traumatic event.

St. Augustine’s Broken Arm Recovery Experts

Broken arms are serious injuries that should be treated right away. However, after you have received treatment for your fractured arm, you’ll likely need physical therapy to get your mobility back on track. The team of orthopaedic specialists and physical therapists at Orthopaedic Associates of St. Augustine is here to help you recover from a broken arm and get back to your daily routines free of pain. To request an appointment, contact us online or give us a call at 904-825-0540.