Broken arm or wrist
Overview
Get medical advice as soon as possible if you think you have broken your arm or wrist. Any possible breaks need to be treated as soon as possible.
Symptoms
You may have broken your arm or wrist if you've injured it and it suddenly became: painfulswollenbruiseddifficult to move It may also change colour, change shape or feel numb. It can be hard to tell if a wrist is broken, dislocated or badly sprained. You'll probably need an X-ray.
Treatment
When you get to hospital the affected arm will be placed in a splint to support it and stop any broken bones from moving out of position. You will also be given painkilling medicines for the pain. An X-ray is then used to see if there is a break and how bad that break is. A plaster cast can be used to keep your arm in place until it heals. Sometimes this may be done a few days later to allow any swelling to go down first. You may be given a sling to support your arm. A doctor may try to fit the broken bones back into place with their hands before applying a splint or cast. You'll be given medicine before this happens so you will not feel any pain. If you had a very bad break, surgery may be carried out to fix broken bones back into place. Before leaving hospital, you'll be given painkillers to take home and advice on how to look after your cast. You'll be asked to attend follow-up appointments to check how your arm or wrist is healing. If you're over 50 and have broken your arm or wrist, a fracture liaison service can help you prevent further broken bones and keep your bones healthy. Ask your GP surgery if there's a fracture liaison service in your area.
When to see a doctor
If you think you've broken your arm or wrist, there are things you can do while you wait to see a doctor. use a towel as a sling to support the affected arm use a towel as a sling to support the affected arm gently hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a tea towel to the injured area for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours gently hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a tea towel to the injured area for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours stop any bleeding by applying pressure to the wound with a clean pad or dressing if possible stop any bleeding by applying pressure to the wound with a clean pad or dressing if possible remove any jewellery such as rings or watches – your fingers, wrist or hand could swell up remove any jewellery such as rings or watches – your fingers, wrist or hand could swell up use painkillers such asparacetamoloribuprofengel (or ibuprofen tablets if needed) use painkillers such asparacetamoloribuprofengel (or ibuprofen tablets if needed) do not eat or drink anything in case you need surgery to fix the bone when you get to hospital do not eat or drink anything in case you need surgery to fix the bone when you get to hospital do not try to use the affected arm or wrist do not try to use the affected arm or wrist