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A forearm fracture is a break in one or both of the bones of your arm that are between the elbow and the wrist. Your forearm is made up of two bones called the radius and the ulna.
Some forearm fractures will require surgery.
CAUSES:
A heavy, direct blow to the forearm is the most common cause of an ulnar fracture. It takes a lot of force to break a bone in your forearm.
This type of injury may be caused by: An accident, such as a car or bike accident.
Falling with your arm outstretched.
RISK FACTORS: You may be at greater risk for an forearm fracture if you:
Play contact sports.
Have a condition that causes your bones to be weak or thin (osteoporosis ).
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS :
An ulnar fracture causes pain immediately after the injury. You may need to support your forearm with your other hand.
Other signs and symptoms include:
An abnormal bend or bump in your arm (deformity ).
Swelling.
Bruising.
Numbness or weakness in your hand.
Inability to turn your hand from side to side (rotate ).
TREATMENT
The goals of treatment are to get the bone in proper position for healing and to keep it from moving so it will heal over time. Your treatment will depend on many factors, especially the type of fracture that you have.
If the fractured bone: Is in the correct position (nondisplaced ),
You may only need to wear a cast or a splint.
Has a slightly displaced fracture, you may need to have the bones moved back into place manually (closed reduction ) before the splint or cast is put on.
You may have a temporary splint before you have a plaster cast. The splint allows room for some swelling. After a few days, a cast can replace the splint.
You may have to wear the cast for about 6 weeks or as directed by your health care provider. The cast may be changed after about 3 weeks or as directed by your health care provider.
After your cast is taken off, you may need physical therapy to regain full movement in your wrist or elbow.
You may need emergency surgery if you have:
A fractured bone that is out of position (displaced ).
A fracture with multiple fragments (comminuted fracture ).
A fracture that breaks the skin (open fracture ). This type of fracture may require surgical wires, plates, or screws to hold the bone in place..
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS:
Keep the injured arm above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down. This helps to reduce swelling and pain.
'Apply ice to the injured area:
Put ice in a plastic bag.
Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times per day.
Move your fingers often to avoid stiffness and to minimize swelling.
If you have a plaster or fiberglass cast:
Do not try to scratch the skin under the cast using sharp or pointed objects.
Check the skin around the cast every day. You may put lotion on any red or sore areas.
Keep your cast dry and clean.
If you have a plaster splint:
Wear the splint as directed.
Loosen the elastic around the splint if your fingers become numb and tingle, or if they turn cold and blue.
Do not put pressure on any part of your cast until it is fully hardened. Rest your cast only on a pillow for the first 24 hours.
Protect your cast or splint while bathing or showering, as directed by your health care provider. Do not put your cast or splint into water. Take medicines only as directed by your health care provider.
SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF:
Your pain medicine is not helping.
Your cast gets damaged or it breaks.
Your cast becomes loose.
Your cast gets wet.
You have more severe pain or swelling than you did before the cast.
You have severe pain when stretching your fingers.
You continue to have pain or stiffness in your elbow or your wrist after your cast is taken off.
SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IF:
You cannot move your fingers.
You lose feeling in your fingers or your hand. Your hand or your fingers turn cold and pale or blue.
You notice a bad smell coming from your cast.
You have drainage from underneath your cast.
You have new stains from blood or drainage seeping through your cast.
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