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

Pain Severity Scale

MILD: doesn�t interfere with normal activities
MODERATE: interferes with normal activities or awakens from sleep
SEVERE: excruciating pain, unable to do any normal activities, incapacitated by pain

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

Involves finger, see FINGER OR TOE INJURY.

^Back to Top

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.
Pain is SEVERE (and not improved after 2 hours of pain medication).
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).

^Back to Top

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.

^Back to Top

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.

See Other Topics:

View Anatomic Index of Topics