Arm Injuries

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Signs of shock occur:
  • In children.
  • In adults and older children.
• Severe bleeding does not slow during the first 15 minutes of steady direct pressure.
• Any part of your arm is partially or completely cut off.
• You can see pieces of bone in a wound, or a bone is sticking through the skin. Do not try to push the bone back into the skin. Cover the area with a clean bandage.

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Bleeding: Go to the topic Cuts or Puncture Wounds.
• A burn on your arm: Go to the topic Burns.
• An injury to your elbow: Go to the topic Elbow Injuries.
• An injury to your hand: Go to the topic Finger, Hand, and Wrist Injuries.
• An injury to your shoulder: Go to the topic Shoulder Problems and Injuries.

Yes	Is your arm twisted, bent out of shape, or out of its normal position after an injury?
Yes	Did you feel or hear a snap or pop when you injured your arm?
Yes	Does your arm look pale, white, or blue, or feel cold after an injury?
Yes	Do you have numbness or tingling in your hand or arm after an injury?
Yes	Are you having trouble moving your arm normally after an injury?
Yes	Is your arm swollen after an injury?
Yes	Is your arm painful or tender after an injury?
Yes	Do you have signs of infection?
Yes	Do you think that an arm injury may have been caused by abuse?
Yes	Is your arm bruised after an injury?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• An arm problem not related to an injury: Go to the topic Arm Problems, Noninjury.
• Bites: Go to the topic Animal and Human Bites.
• Bruises: Go to the topic Bruises and Blood Spots Under the Skin.
• Scrapes: Go to the topic Scrapes.
• A sunburn: Go to the topic Sunburn.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: August 31, 2006
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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