What to Expect During Broken Arm Recovery
A broken arm can occur as a result of a fall, an athletic injury, or a variety of other mishaps. To allow the arm to heal, it is frequently immobilized with a splint, brace, or cast.
When the fracture does not break the skin or the bone is fractured into pieces, surgery may be required. As a result, treatment varies depending on the type of damage.
Recovery Timeline in General
Broken arm recovery for a fractured arm usually heals in six weeks. However, a variety of circumstances, including the sort of break and where it happened, can affect recovery time. Additional injuries to the wrist and elbow usually require a longer recovery time than injuries to other parts of the upper or forearm.
While immobility is expected during recovery, physical therapy may be prescribed to assist restore functioning by strengthening the joint’s muscles and improving movement.
What to Anticipate
If you have a broken arm, you may need surgery to stabilize the fracture at first. Reduction may be required to reassemble the arm. Regardless of therapy, patients may have significant pain and edema as a result of the damage.
You may be given a prescription pain reliever and taught to elevate your arm to reduce swelling during this period. A fixation device, such as plates, screws, or wires, may be used to maintain the bones in place while the damage heals. At this point, keep an eye on the swelling to see if it goes down or if an infection develops. You should be prepared for the next steps of the recovery process from the beginning.
The Importance of Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can help lessen and control potential stiffness in your arm, hand, and shoulder caused by wearing a cast or sling as your injury heals. Once the arm is no longer immobilized, physical treatment is generally continued to enhance muscle strength and joint flexibility.
Expect to practice hand or shoulder workouts while recovering from a broken arm, depending on where the accident occurred. Therapy will progress to full arm motion exercises once the cast, sling, or brace is removed. This period of therapy may continue a few months, especially if you had surgery.
Physical therapy can treat subacute discomfort and possible weakness that affects how you lift and handle items in addition to motion. Many individuals report decreased muscle and bone mass after a broken arm, which affects how the joint or muscles in the damaged area function. Physical therapy helps you regain movement and a sense of normalcy in the long run.
Give us a call 949.716.5050 and talk to one of our trained and experienced Physical Therapists to learn how to recover as quickly as possible.