Arm Injuries: Check Your Symptoms

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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 painful or tender after an injury?

Yes

Do you have swelling after an arm injury?

Yes

Do you think that an arm injury may have been caused by abuse?

Yes

Do you have signs of infection?

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.

Last updated:	July 28, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer