Last Updated: 11 December 2018
A
broken (fractured) arm or wrist needs to be treated as soon as
possible. It typically takes a month or two to heal. Signs of
a broken arm or wrist include:
- severe pain and tenderness
- bruising and swelling
- difficulty moving the hand or arm
- the wrist or arm being an odd shape
- a snap or grinding noise at the time of injury
- bleeding (if the bone has damaged the skin) –
sometimes the bone may poke through the skin
- tingling and numbness
Because
of the shock and pain of breaking your arm, you may also feel faint, dizzy or
sick. It can be
hard to tell the difference between a minor break and a sprain. It is best to assume it is a fracture
until it has been checked by a doctor or nurse.