Forearm Fracture

What is a forearm fracture?

A forearm fracture is a crack or break in one or both of the 2 bones in your lower arm. The 2 bones are the:

• radius (on the thumb side of your arm)
• ulna (on the little-finger side of your arm)

What is the cause?

A forearm fracture usually happens from:

• a fall onto an outstretched arm or hand
• a direct hit to the arm

What are the symptoms?

When the arm is broken, you may hear a snapping or popping sound. Symptoms may include:

• pain, swelling, bruising, or tenderness
• trouble moving the arm
• a change in the shape of the arm

How is it diagnosed?

Your provider will ask about your symptoms and how the injury happened. He or she will examine you. You will have X-rays of your arm.

How is it treated?

The treatment depends on the type of fracture. If the broken bone is crooked, your healthcare provider will straighten it. You will be given some medicine first so the straightening is not painful. Sometimes surgery is needed to put the bones back into the correct position.

The injured arm may be put in a splint or cast to keep it from moving while it heals.

How can I take care of myself?

Follow the full course of treatment your healthcare provider prescribes. Also:

• To keep swelling down and help relieve pain, your healthcare provider may tell you to:
  • Put an ice pack, gel pack, or package of frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth on the injured area every 3 to 4 hours for up to 20 minutes at a time for the first day or two after the injury.
  • Keep the injured arm up on pillows when you sit or lie down.
  • Take pain medicine, such as ibuprofen, as directed by your provider. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may cause stomach bleeding and other problems. These risks increase with age. Read the label and take as directed. Unless recommended by your healthcare provider, do not take for more than 10 days.
• If you have a cast, make sure the cast does not get wet. Cover the cast with plastic when you bathe. Avoid scratching the skin around the cast or poking things down the cast. This could cause an infection.

Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests. Call your healthcare provider right away if:

• You have more pain, redness, warmth, or swelling.
• You have a fever.
• The injured arm looks pale or blue or feels cold.
• You have a loss of feeling in the injured area.

How can a forearm fracture be prevented?

Most forearm fractures are caused by accidents that are not easy to prevent.