Arm Injury

This Care Guide Covers:

If not, see these topics

Muscle pain caused by hard muscle work or sports (overuse). See ARM PAIN.
Injury only to finger. See FINGER OR TOE INJURY.
Only has cuts, scrapes, or bruises. See CUTS, SCRAPES, or BRUISES (SKIN INJURY).

View First Aid Advice

View images

First Aid - Bleeding Arm	First Aid - Sling - How to Put On
First Aid - Splint for Wrist Injury	X-Ray - Torus Fracture of Wrist
X-Ray - Clavicle Fracture	Bruise on Forearm
Nursemaid's Elbow	First Aid - R.I.C.E.
X-Ray - Normal Clavicle

When to Call Your Doctor

	Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance) If
	Serious injury with many broken bones Major bleeding that can't be stopped (See FIRST AID) Bone is sticking through the skin You think your child has a life-threatening emergency
	Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If
	You think your child has a serious injury Looks like a broken bone Looks like a dislocated joint Skin is split open or gaping and may need stitches Age under 1 year old Can't move the shoulder, elbow or wrist normally Can't open and close the hand normally Pain is SEVERE and not improved 2 hours after taking pain medicine You think your child needs to be seen urgently
	Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If
	You think your child needs to be seen, but not urgently Very large bruise or swelling Pain not better after 3 days
	Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If
	You have other questions or concerns Injury limits sports or school work No tetanus shot in over 5 years for DIRTY cuts No tetanus shot in over 10 years for CLEAN cuts Pain lasts over 2 weeks
	Parent Care at Home If
	Bruised muscle or bone from direct blow Pain in muscle (from minor pulled muscle) Pain around joint (from minor stretched ligament)

Causes & Health Information

Types of Arm Injuries

Fractures are broken bones. A broken collarbone is the most common broken bone in children. It's easy to notice because the collar bone is tender to touch. Also, the child cannot raise the arm upward.
Dislocations happen when a bone is pulled out of a joint. A dislocated elbow is the most common type of this injury in kids. It's caused by an adult quickly pulling or lifting a child by the arm. Mainly seen in 1 to 4 year olds. It's also easy to spot. The child will hold his arm as if it were in a sling. He will keep the elbow bent and the palm of the hand down.
Sprains - stretches and tears of ligaments
Strains - stretches and tears of muscles (such as a pulled muscle)
Muscle overuse from hard work or sports (such as a sore shoulder)
Muscle bruise from a direct blow
Bone bruise from a direct blow

Pain Scale

Mild: Your child feels pain and tells you about it. But, the pain does not keep your child from any normal activities. School, play and sleep are not changed.
Moderate: The pain keeps your child from doing some normal activities. It may wake him or her up from sleep.
Severe: The pain is very bad. It keeps your child from doing all normal activities.

CARE ADVICE FOR MINOR ARM INJURIES

What You Should Know:
- During sports, muscles and bones get bruised.
- Muscles get stretched.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Pain Medicine:
- To help with the pain, give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen.
- Ibuprofen works well for this type of pain.
- Use as needed. See Dose Table.
Cold Pack:
- For pain or swelling, use a cold pack. You can also use ice wrapped in a wet cloth.
- Put it on the sore muscles for 20 minutes.
- Repeat 4 times on the first day, then as needed.
- Reason: Helps the pain and helps stop any bleeding.
- Caution: Avoid frostbite.
Heat Pack:
- If pain lasts over 2 days, put heat on the sore muscle.
- Use a heat pack, heating pad or warm wet washcloth.
- Do this for 10 minutes, then as needed.
- Caution: Avoid burns.
Rest:
- Rest the injured arm as much as possible for 48 hours.
What to Expect:
- Pain and swelling most often peak on day 2 or 3.
- Swelling should be gone by 7 days.
- Pain may take 2 weeks to fully go away.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Pain becomes severe
- Pain is not better 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.

Arm Injury
Back to Index