Broken Bone in Hand, Fingers, Wrist, Forearm, Elbow or Upper Arm

A hand or upper extremity fracture occurs when a fracture, commonly known as a break or crack in a bone, occurs in the upper extremity.

There are several types of fractures that can occur in the upper extremities including:

• Intra-articular fracture - a break which extends into the joint such as the wrist or elbow
• Displaced fracture - bone breaks and is no longer straight
• Non-displaced fracture - bone breaks in one spot and is still straight
• Open fracture - the bone breaks through the skin - with a significant risk of infection

Symptoms, Diagnosis and Outlook

The signs and symptoms of a bone fracture differ according to their severity and location. Common symptoms include:

• Bone is no longer straight
• Difficulty moving the affected area
• Loss of feeling or strength
• Pain
• Swelling

Diagnosis for upper extremity fracture may include:

• Physical exam
• X-rays
• CT scan
• MRI scan

Why Choose Penn State Health for Care

Top-Ranked by U.S. News & World Report

Penn State Health includes the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, ranked as one of the best orthopaedic providers in the country by U.S. News & World Report. This honor was earned because our doctors consistently deliver exceptional patient care and outcomes through advanced treatments, translational research and provider training.

Innovative Care for Complex Challenges

Penn State Health offers leading-edge care for upper extremity fractures. We have upper extremity specialists and a team of experts uses a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach to offer a wide range of care that includes surgery, chronic pain management and therapy services to improve your body’s function and movement. We are a regional resource for complex orthopaedic trauma reconstruction cases.

Support Groups

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