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Housecall, our weekly general-interest e-newsletter, keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics with timely, reliable, practical information, recipes, blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts and more. Our biweekly topic-specific e-newsletters also include blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts, and other useful information that will help you manage your health.
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Mayo Clinic Housecall
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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffA broken arm usually happens in an unplanned, unexpected instant. It's usually impossible to foresee or prevent that instant, but these basic tips may offer some protection.
- Build bone strength. Calcium-rich foods, such as milk, yogurt and cheese, can help build strong bones. In general, a regular diet with the recommended calcium intake is best, even after a fracture. For women, the recommended amount of calcium increases with age and with menopause. Talk to your doctor about how much calcium you need.
- Prevent falls. Falling forward onto an outstretched hand is the leading cause of a broken arm. To prevent this common injury, wear sensible shoes. Remove home hazards. Light up your living space. And install grab bars in your bathroom and hand rails on your stairways, if necessary.
- Use protective gear. Wear wrist guards for high-risk activities, such as in-line skating, snowboarding, rugby and football.
References
- Broken arm. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00078. Accessed May 29, 2009.
- Woolfrey KG, et al. Forearm. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/140428056-3/0/1365/125.html. Accessed May 29, 2009.
- Geiderman JM. Humerus and elbow. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/140428056-3/846542240/1365/128.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02845-4..50054-8--cesec3_1945. Accessed May 29, 2009.
- Forearm fractures in children. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00039. Accessed May 29, 2009.
- Mathison DJ, et al. General principles of fracture management: Fracture patterns and description in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 29, 2009.
- Petron DJ, et al. Distal radius fractures in adults. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 1, 2009.
- Osteoporosis overview. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/overview.pdf. Accessed June. 1, 2009.
- Bassett R. Proximal humeral fractures. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed June 2, 2009.
- Fracture. Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. 31st ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders; 2007. http://dorlands.com/def.jsp?id=100042439. Accessed June 2, 2009.
