How long does it take for a broken ulna and radius bone to heal?

• Buffer
• Tweet

The human forearm consists of two long bones, the ulna and the radius, that run from the elbow to the wrist. The ulna is the inner bone, and the radius is the larger outer bone. Both bones are positioned parallel to each other but meet at the end in a way that allows the radius to rotate around the ulna. This positioning lets a person turn the forearm to bring the palm of the hand down, called pronation, or bring the palm up, called supination.

A person can break, or fracture, a bone from a high force impact, such as a fall or car accident; from stress on the bone, as seen in many athletes; or as a result of medical conditions that weaken the bone, such as osteoporosis or bone cancer. This passive type of break is called a pathological fracture.

While fracturing an ulna is not uncommon, the most common type of break is in the distal radius, or at the point where the radius meets the wrist joint, which generally occurs when one falls on outstretched hands. When one of the bones in the arm is broken, the most common symptom is pain. Other symptoms include swelling and deformity of the forearm. If an individual suspects a forearm fracture, he or she should see a doctor who will have X-rays taken in order to ascertain the extent of the injury.

There are different types of bone fractures. An intra-articular fracture extends into the joint, while an extra-articular fracture, does not. An open fracture is when a fractured bone actually breaks through the skin. A comminuted fracture is when a bone breaks into more than two pieces. Depending on the severity and type of fracture, the doctor will choose the appropriate treatment.

There are many ways to treat a broken ulna or radius. A physician will take into account the nature of the fracture, age of the patient and activity level, as well as the physician’s personal preferences. Fractures are most often treated with a plaster cast or fracture brace. Immobilizing the arm for a period of time will allow the bone to heal. As the swelling goes down, the cast begins to loosen, necessitating the cast to be changed two or three weeks later. Depending on the fracture, X-rays may be taken at specific intervals to check on the healing process. The majority of fractures heal within six weeks of treatment. The cast is then removed, and physical therapy is often recommended to improve the function of the arm or wrist.

In cases where the fracture has moved the bone out of place significantly, the fracture is considered “unstable,” and the patient will undergo surgery to realign the fracture. The surgical procedure, called a reduction, includes using either a plate and screws, metal pins, an external device or a cast to secure the fractured bone.

Any surgery has the risk of complications. While unusual, if the arm becomes infected, the metal implant may have to be removed. Occasionally the metal plate and screws can be painful and need to be removed. Once the plates are removed, the bone is at risk for breaking again. In about 5 percent of patients, the bone does not heal after treatment; this is known as a non-healing fracture. These patients may require bone graft surgery to heal the fracture properly.

After the six weeks it takes for the bone to heal, there is still an adjustment period. Most patients can resume strenuous physical activities, such as contact sports and skiing, between three and six months after the injury. Stiffness at the site of the fracture may still be felt for up to two years following the injury, or even longer in older patients or those with osteoporosis.

Some ways to prevent a broken bone in the arm is to wear wrist guards when running, biking, skating and during other forms of activity that sometimes result in falls. Practicing good bone health to ward off osteoporosis is an important measure of prevention as well.

Resource by Will

I am the editor for TheFreeResource.com, and owner of LinchpinSEO, a small business content creation company. The Free Resource has a select community of talented writers, teachers, and business people (and we are always looking for more) that bring you the most trusted resources on the web and credible articles about many topics.

Related Research For Teachers, Students, and Kids