ARM INJURY
Injury Definition
- Injuries to arm
- Injuries to a bone, muscle, joint or ligament.
Types of Arm Injuries
- Fractures (broken bones)
- Dislocations (bone out of joint)
- Sprains - stretches and tears of ligaments
- Strains - stretches and tears of muscles (e.g., pulled muscle)
- Muscle overuse injuries from sports or exercise
- Muscle bruise from a direct blow
- Bone bruise from a direct blow
See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If
- Involves finger, see FINGER OR TOE INJURY.
WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR ARM OR LEG INJURY
Call 911 now (your child may need an ambulance) if:
- Serious injury with multiple fractures.
- Major bleeding that can't be stopped.
Call your doctor now (night or day) if:
- You think your child has a serious injury.
- Looks like a broken bone or dislocated joint.
- Swollen elbow or any large swelling.
- Skin beyond the injury is pale or blue.
- Skin is split open or gaping and may need stitches
- Age less than 1 year old.
- Bicycle spoke or washing machine wringer injury.
- Severe pain.
- Unable to move arm normally (especially if someone pulled on the arm).
- Joint nearest the injury can't be moved fully (opened and closed).
Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If
- You think your child needs to be seen.
- Pain not improved after 3 days
Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If
- You have other questions or concerns
- Pain lasts over 2 weeks
Parent care at home if:
- Bruised muscle or bone from direct blow.
- Pain in muscle (probably from mild pulled muscle).
- Pain around joint (probably from mild stretched ligament).
HOME CARE ADVICE
- Treatment of Pulled
Muscle, Bruised Muscle or Bruised Bone:
- Apply a cold pack or ice bag wrapped in a wet cloth to the area for 20 minutes per hour. Repeat for 4 consecutive hours. After 48 hours, use local heat for 10 minutes 3 times per day to help reabsorb the blood.
- Give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen 4 times per day for pain. Continue for at least 48 hours.
- Rest the injured part as much as possible for 48 hours.
- For pulled muscles, teach the youngster about stretching exercises and strength training.
- Expected Course: Pain and swelling usually peak on day 2 or 3. Swelling is usually gone by 7 days. Pain may take 2 weeks to completely resolve.
- Call Your Doctor If:
- Pain becomes severe
- Pain is not improving after 3 days
- Pain lasts more than 2 weeks
- Your child becomes worse
And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.
REFERENCES
- Carson S, Woolridge D, Colletti J, Kilgore K. Pediatric upper extremity injuries. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2006;53(1):41-68.
- England SP and Sundberg S. Management of common pediatric fractures. Pediatr Clin North Am. 1996;43:991-1011.
- Hennikus WL, Shaw BA, Gerardi JA. Elbow injuries. Contemp Pediatr. 1999;16:155-177.
- Huurman WW and Ginsburg GM. Musculoskeletal injury in children. Pediatr Rev. 1997;18(12):429-440.
- Koutures CG. An overview of overuse injuries. Contemp Pediatr. 2001;18(11):43-70.
- Waanders NA, Hellerstein E, Ballock RT. Nursemaid’s elbow: Pulling out the diagnosis. Contemp Pediatr. 2000;17(6):87-96.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.
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