What happens if you have a hairline fracture in your arm?
A fracture may be a thin crack in a bone, called a hairline fracture. This type of fracture may not cause a visible injury or limit arm or shoulder motion, but can cause aching pain and redness or swelling around the site of the injury.
What does a hairline fracture in the arm feel like?
Some of the symptoms of a hairline fracture in the arm include: Pain during movement. Tenderness. Swelling.
Can a hairline fracture heal on its own?
The majority of hairline fractures will heal by themselves if the person refrains from activities that put a strain on the affected area. For the first 24 to 48 hours, a person can help the healing process by elevating the affected area and applying ice where possible.
What does an upper arm hairline fracture feel like?
The most common symptom of a hairline fracture is pain. This pain can gradually get worse over time, especially if you don’t stop weight-bearing activity. Pain is usually worse during activity and lessens during rest.
Can you still move your arm if it fractured?
The majority of fractures heal and normal arm movement is restored. Many of these factors based on the individual injury and medical history may determine the final outcome of a broken bone: Earlier treatment usually improves results.
What happens if a fracture is left untreated?
When a bone fracture is untreated, it can result in either a nonunion or a delayed union. In the former case, the bone doesn’t heal at all, which means that it will remain broken. As a result, swelling, tenderness, and pain will continue to worsen over time.
What is the fastest way to heal a hairline fracture?
How to Heal Quickly from a Stress Fracture?
- Apply ice and take pain medications to control symptoms.
- Use a cast or splint to protect the stress fracture site.
- Start partial weight bearing only when pain free.
- Increase your activity to avoid recurrence of fracture.
Can you fracture your forearm and still move it?
A broken forearm can affect your ability to rotate your arm and even bend or straighten the wrist and elbow. A bone may be completely fractured or partially fractured in any number of ways (crosswise, lengthwise, in multiple pieces).
How do you treat a hairline fracture in your arm?
If you suspect a hairline fracture, the following are first aid treatments that can be performed prior to seeing a doctor:
- Follow the RICE method: Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen can also help with pain.
Will a forearm fracture heal on its own?
In rare cases, fractures to the forearm may heal on their own, but only if the bone has stayed in precisely the correct position for healing, and the patient does not move that arm even one millimeter during the healing process, which can take up to several months depending on the severity of the fracture.
Can a fracture go unnoticed?
Stress fracture symptoms can go relatively unnoticed in a person and may become known only after a bone has broken completely or another injury has occurred. If you think you might have a stress fracture, it is important to see an orthopedic surgeon who can diagnose you and help prevent further injury.
Is a hairline fracture worse than a break?
While many people believe that a fracture is a “hairline break,” or a certain type of broken bone, this is not true. A fracture and a broken bone are the same things.
What are the symptoms of a hairline fracture in the arm?
Signs and symptoms of hairline fracture include pain and swelling in the bone, especially when the bone is put under load or stress. If it is left unnoticed or untreated, it continues to get worse and may even cause complete disruption of integrity of bone.
What is the recovery time for a hairline fracture?
Common symptoms include: pain while walking, swelling and inflammation, redness of the joint and tenderness. Recovery depends on the extent of fracture and what has caused it. Nevertheless, complete recovery for a hairline fracture may take up to 10 to 14 weeks.
What does a hairline fracture feel like?
Hairline fractures can occur from overuse or repetitive activity. They can be hard to notice, but a dull pain often develops over time. Feelings of pain from light to moderate pressure can indicate a hairline fracture.
Is a hairline fracture painful?
While hairline fractures may heal with sufficient rest, they can be painful and last several weeks. Anyone who engages in regular physical activity can develop a hairline fracture, especially if the activity involves repetitive movements that put a strain on a bone or a group of bones. The most common treatment approach is rest.
