Hand Fracture, Stress Fracture and Broken Arm

Hand fracture, stress fracture, broken arm…, the possibilities are almost endless. What should we know about fractures?

Bones are strong. They have to be sturdy to support the various parts to the human anatomy and aid in movement. However, there are limits to that strength. And when these limits are exceeded, a bone will break or split. A break is a fracture, and a break that results in the bone emerging through the skin is called a compound fracture.

If you are a sports fan you have probably heard of a stress fracture. These are common in athletes and are the consequence of repeated forces against a bone over an extended period.

There are many causes of bone breaks. Boxers and football players have a relatively high number of hand fractures because of the nature of their sports. Falls from high places and car accidents cause a significant percentage of fractures seen in emergency rooms. The list of causes and the list of types of breaks are both virtually infinite.

Here are some indications that you may have a broken bone:

(1) an abnormal shape or alignment of a limb

(2) bleeding, bruising or swelling

(3) intense pain

(4) numbness and tingling

(5) bone showing above the skin

(6) reduction in mobility of a limb

If you happened upon a car accident and saw that someone in the accident had sustained broken bones, would you know what to do? It would be great if you could help, but not doing harm is equally important.

If a person has a broken bone and is in no immediate danger, such as from a burning car or falling object, then the fractured bone should be stabilized before moving the person is attempted. The important measure to take is getting qualified medical help as soon as possible. An immediate call to 911 should be a top priority.