Arm Trauma - Causes, Symptoms, Types, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Introduction:

Most arm injuries occur because of motorcycle or automobile injuries. There are 206 bones in our body, out of which three of them are present in the arms: the radius, ulna, and humerus. The arm is made up of joints, tendons, and muscles, as well as connective tissues.

What Are the Causes of Arm Trauma?

There are many different causes of arm injuries; they are:

• Sports - Many sports players, especially football players, experience stingers or burners, which is observed when the nerves in the brachial plexus are stretched beyond their limit during collisions with other players.

• Traumas - Traumas include motorcycle accidents, falls, and bullet wounds, which can result in arm injuries.

• Difficult Birth - Birth injuries to newborns may be associated with high birth weight, breech position, and prolonged labor. When an infant's shoulders get wedged within the birth canal, there are chances of brachial plexus palsy. That condition is called Erb's palsy when the upper nerves are injured.

What Are the Symptoms of Arm Trauma?

The signs and symptoms can depend upon the location and severity of the injury. They are:

• Less Severe Injuries - When minor trauma often occurs during sports such as wrestling, football, and basketball. Symptoms during these injuries include numbness and weakness in the arm and a burning sensation shooting down the arm. These symptoms last up to a few seconds or minutes, but in a few cases, they might last longer.

• More Severe Injuries - These types of injuries result from more serious injuries that hurt and traumatize the bone and the nerves. The signs and symptoms include severe pain, inability to use the arm or shoulder, weakness, and lack of movement in the arms and shoulder.

Some arm injuries can cause permanent disabilities or weakness. Seek immediate medical treatment for weakness in one’s hands or arms, neck pain, recurrent stingers, or burners.

What Are the Different Types of Arm Trauma?

The different types of arm injuries include:

• Sprains.

• Dislocations.

• Tendinitis.

• Fractures.

• Osteoarthritis.

• Nerve problems.

How Is Arm Trauma Diagnosed?

The provider may conduct a physical examination and review all the symptoms to diagnose the condition. For further diagnosis, the severity and extent of the injury can be analyzed using the following tests:

• X-Rays - The X-ray of the arm, hand, wrist, and shoulder can reveal if there are any fractures or any other associated injuries.

• MRI - MRI uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to produce a detailed body view in different planes. It helps to assess the status of arteries which is essential for the limb for its reconstruction and also reveals the extent of the damage caused.

• CT Scan - CT scans are a series of X-rays used to obtain cross-sectional images of the body. In CT myelography, a contrast material is injected during a spinal tap to produce a detailed picture of the spinal cord and the nerve roots. The test is performed in case if MRI fails to provide adequate information.

• Electromyography - This test helps evaluate the muscles' electric activity and the contraction and relaxation of the muscles. During the electromyography, the provider might insert a needle electrode through the skin into various muscles. There might be some pain felt while inserting the needle electrodes in some people.

How Is Arm Trauma Treated?

The treatment depends on several factors like the location, severity, type, and length of the injury, as well as other existing factors. For example, the health care provider may recommend physical therapy to keep the functioning of muscles and joints properly, maintain the range of motion, and prevent stiff joints. Other treatment options for arm trauma are:

• Stop the Bleeding - If the person is badly injured, the blood spurts from the wound at this time; with a clean cloth, apply firm pressure to the wound area till the bleeding stops.

• To Reduce Swelling - Apply a wrapped ice pack or towel to the traumatized arm for a few minutes. Try elevating the arm above the heart.

• Immobilize the Arm - In case of less serious injury, do not try to straighten the arm. Try keeping the arm still without moving it.

• Seek Medical Help and Follow-Up - The healthcare provider may take X-rays and apply a splint if required. Surgery can be advised to realign the broken pieces.

How to Prevent Arm Trauma?

Arm injuries always cannot be prevented, but one can follow these steps to reduce the risk of complications after the damage has occurred. The ways of prevention are:

• For Children - Exercising the affected joints and muscles daily is very important. Exercising helps the joints become stiff, and the muscles remain strong and healthy.

• For Self - If one’s hand or arm is temporarily injured, practicing motion exercise and physical therapy can help prevent joint stiffness.

What Are the Complications of Arm Trauma?

The arm injuries heal with time and proper treatment. But some injuries may cause temporary or permanent damage, such as:

• Stiff Joints - The joints can stiffen if a person experiences paralysis in the arms or hands. It becomes difficult to perform any movement. In these cases, the doctor might recommend physical therapy during the recovery.

• Pain - It can result in pain and severe nerve damage, which may be chronic.

• Muscle Atrophy - Nerves take several years to heal after an injury as they regrow slowly. During this period, the lack of use of the affected muscle may cause the muscles to break down.

• Numbness - If a person loses feeling in the arm or hand, there is a risk of increased trauma and injury.

• Permanent Disability - The recovery depends upon one’s age, type of injury, the damage's location, and the injury's severity. Despite undergoing surgery, some people may experience permanent muscle paralysis or weakness.

Conclusion:

Injuries to the arm are often caused by falling onto an overstretched hand or compression of the nerves. Contact sports such as wrestling and football, as well as motor vehicle accidents, can increase the risk of brachial plexus injury. Prompt medical attention is crucial for the management of upper extremity traumas. If one experiences any arm trauma, seek immediate medical attention to prevent further damage and ensure a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.