Arm Injury

Pediatric HouseCalls Online

DEFINITION

• Injuries to arm
• Injuries to a bone, muscle, joint or ligament 

Types of Arm Injuries

• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocations (bone out of joint)
• Sprains - stretches and tears of ligaments
• Strains - stretches and tears of muscles (e.g., pulled muscle)
• Muscle overuse injuries from sports or exercise 
• Muscle bruise from a direct blow
• Bone bruise from a direct blow 

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

• Involves finger, see FINGER OR TOE INJURY 
• Only has cuts, scrapes, or bruises, see SKIN INJURY

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WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance) If:

• Serious injury with multiple fractures.
• Major bleeding that can't be stopped.

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

• You think your child has a serious injury.
• Looks like a broken bone or dislocated joint.
• Swollen elbow or any large swelling.
• Skin beyond the injury is pale or blue.  
• Skin is split open or gaping and may need stitches
• Age under 1 year old.
• Bicycle spoke or washing machine wringer injury.
• Severe pain.
• Unable to move arm normally (especially if someone pulled on the arm).
• Joint nearest the injury can't be moved fully (opened and closed).  

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If

• You think your child needs to be seen.
• Pain not improved after 3 days

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

• You have other questions or concerns
• Pain lasts over 2 weeks

Parent Care at Home If

• Bruised muscle or bone from direct blow.
• Pain in muscle (probably from mild pulled muscle).
• Pain around joint (probably from mild stretched ligament).

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HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MINOR ARM INJURIES

1. Treatment of Pulled Muscle, Bruised Muscle or Bruised Bone:
   • Apply a cold pack or ice bag wrapped in a wet cloth to the area for 20 minutes per hour. Repeat for 4 consecutive hours.  After 48 hours, use local heat for 10 minutes 3 times per day to help reabsorb the blood.
   • Give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen for pain. Continue for at least 48 hours.
   • Rest the injured part as much as possible for 48 hours.
   • For pulled muscles, teach your youngster about stretching exercises and strength training.
2. Expected Course:  Pain and swelling usually peak on day 2 or 3.  Swelling is usually gone by 7 days.  Pain may take 2 weeks to completely resolve.
3. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Pain becomes severe
   • Pain is not improving after 3 days
   • Pain lasts over 2 weeks
   • Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor is your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

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