BROKEN ARM INJURY AND ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS
One of the most common injuries in both children and adults is a broken, or fractured, arm. While many may guess clumsiness is to blame, broken arms are often the result of falls and traumas that are not necessarily the fault of the victim. Car, motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian accidents can all cause an arm break. So can slipping or falling in a poorly maintained premises or construction site. Treatment and recovery for a fractured arm can be extensive and agonizing. If you or a loved one has suffered a broken arm in California, please let the Law Team at The Rudman Law Firm, PLC help you during this trying time by calling 1-800-ALAWPRO now for your free consultation.

Broken Arm Anatomy
With three major bones, and two useful joints, the arm presents many opportunities for breakage. Without proper care, a broken arm may heal poorly, and complications from a broken arm can make fracture a serious injury. From the upper to lower arm, here is a breakdown of arm anatomy.

Upper Arm

• Humerus: The largest bone in your arm, the humerus is the bone forming the upper part of your arm. At the top, the humerus connects at the shoulder end, while at the bottom, it connects to elbow.

• Radius: One of two bones forming the lower arm (forearm). The radius is on the inner, or thumb-side of the arm. The top of the radius connects at the elbow, while the bottom connects to the wrist.
• Ulna: The other forearm bone, the ulna is on the outside or pinky-side of the lower arm. Like the radius, the ulna connects at the elbow and wrist.

The three arm bones have connections at the shoulder, elbow and wrist. The distal end of the bone refers to one closer to the shoulder, and the proximal end refers to the end closer to the hand.

Fractured Arm Causes
Nearly half of all bone breaks in adults are broken arms. Falls and traumatic events are the most common causes of broken arms. Here's a breakdown of potential arm break hazards:

• Slips, Trips, & Falls: A broken arm results from falling onto an outstretched elbow or hand. Children and older adults are at increased risk for broken bones of all kinds, including broken arms.
• Car or Other Motor Vehicle Accidents: Crashes involving cars, motorcycles, bus, trucks and bicycles can easily lead to a fractured arm as a result of impact, speed or any other related factor.
• Assault: Abuse in any form or other forms of criminal violence can result in a broken arm.
• Work-related Injuries
• Sports-related Injuries
• Other Traumatic Events
• Osteoporosis

Arm Break Symptoms
Sometimes there is no question that an arm has been broken. The injured person may hear a loud crack or snap, or worse, the fractured bone may be visible. Following is a list of broken arm symptoms:

• Pain, which is severe and worse with movement
• Bruising
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Stiffness in arm or arm joints
• Limited range of rotation or movement of arm or arm joints
• Numbness (resulting from nerve damaged)
• Deformity

Broken Arm Fracture Types
Like a broken leg, there are many different types of fractures that can occur with a broken arm. Here is list of arm break types:

• Open (Compound) Fracture: A serious injury in which the broken bone has cut through the skin
• Closed Fracture: A bone break that does not pierce the skin
• Complete Fracture: The broken bones snap into at least two pieces
• Comminuted Fracture: The bones have broken into several pieces
• Incomplete Fracture: The bone is cracked but not completely separated
• Displaced Fracture: Broken bones are displaced, or not aligned, often requiring surgery
• Stress Fracture: Very small cracks, normally caused by repetitive movement
• Colles' Fracture: A break in the radius near the wrist (distal end), and the most common type of arm fracture
• Greenstick Fracture: The bone has cracked, but not broken; most common in children
• Buckle (torus) Fracture: Also more common in children, one side of the bone buckles or bends as the result of compression on the other side of the bone.

Broken Arm Diagnosis and Treatment
Efficient and expedited diagnosis of a broken arm is crucial in proper healing. After an inspection of the affected area, a doctor may order further tests to determine if and where an arm has been broken. These tests may include an x-ray, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), bone scan or CT (computerized tomography) scan. Once diagnosed, treatment will range depending on the locationand severity of the break, while taking into consideration any additional needs of the patient. Treatment can range from home care to surgery. Here is an outline of different potential broken arm treatments:

• Immobilization: Any variety of means for preventing arm movement, including use of a splint, sling, cast or brace
• Surgery: Used for more serious breaks, surgery may include the implantation of plates, screws, wires or nails to assist in bone healing and alignment.
• Elevation, Heat, Ice
• Medication to relieve pain and/or swelling
• Rehabilitation to assist in healing after immobilization and surgery

Arm Fracture Complications
While uncommon, complications from broken arms can occur, particularly in breaks that are very severe, affect nerve areas, or are poorly treated. Here are some complications arising with arm breaks:

• Continued, chronic, or permanent stiffness and/or pain
• Bone Infection, occurring after open fractures
• Poor Healing
• Frozen Shoulder, from a break in the upper humerus
• Nerve or Blood Vessel Injury
• Osteoarthritis, from a break that extends into the joint
• Compartment Syndrome, a rare condition resulting from severely traumatic injuries
• Repeat Fracture (refracture), common in children

Have you or a loved one suffered a broken arm injury from an accident in California? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain and losses. Let the Law Team of The Rudman Law Firm, PLC help you through this trying time by calling 1-800-ALAWPRO (1-800-252-9776) for a free and confidential consultation. Our attorneys have over 50 years combined experience in representing the rights of the injured. Please call us now.