Is There a Potential Fracture?
Several months back, I, a 27-year-old trans man, was embracing my mother quite tightly when I suddenly experienced a sharp pain on the outer side of my right arm, located between my wrist and elbow. I tend to be very hypermobile and have dealt with various aches and discomforts for as long as I can remember, so I dismissed this particular pain as just another minor inconvenience that would likely fade away within a few days. However, as time has passed—from that incident until now—I continue to feel a nagging pain in the same area whenever I attempt to lift heavy items or rotate my wrist beyond a specific angle. The discomfort intensifies after I've exerted considerable effort with that arm. While the area isn't excessively tender unless pressure is applied, I haven’t observed any noticeable swelling. Initially, the pain was infrequent, but after starting a new job that requires significant lifting a few weeks ago, I’ve found that the issue has become increasingly common. This situation has led me to question whether I might have sustained a hairline fracture. What could be causing these ongoing sensations?
Answers (1)
2/10/2026, 7:20:37 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you are experiencing persistent pain in your right arm after an incident several months ago, and your current job involving heavy lifting may be exacerbating the issue. This ongoing discomfort could stem from several potential causes, including a mild fracture, tendinitis, or a strain due to overuse. Let’s break this down and consider some clear next steps.
Explanation
-
Likely Causes: Given your description, a hairline fracture is a possibility, but it’s also common for issues like tendinitis (inflammation of a tendon) or a muscle strain to occur, especially after a specific injury and increased physical activity. Hypermobile individuals may be more prone to strains and joint-related discomfort.
-
Symptoms to Monitor: The nagging pain you feel during lifting or wrist rotation suggests that whatever the underlying issue, it is aggravated by activity. The absence of swelling is a good sign, but the persistent pain indicates that something may still be wrong.
Next Steps
-
Rest and Modify Activities: Begin by resting your arm as much as possible, especially from heavy lifting and activities that exacerbate your pain. Modify your work duties if possible to avoid stressing your arm.
-
Ice and Compression: Apply ice to the affected area for about 15-20 minutes several times a day to reduce any inflammation and pain. Using a compression wrap may also help stabilize the area.
-
Gentle Stretching and Mobilization: Once the acute pain decreases, gently stretch your wrist and arm within a comfortable range. Avoid any movements that cause pain, but keep the joint mobile to prevent stiffness.
-
Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep track of when the pain occurs, its intensity, and any movements that trigger it. This will help you identify patterns and prepare for potential follow-up if needed.
-
Consider Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: If necessary, over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage pain and inflammation, but ensure to follow the recommended dosages.
If your symptoms worsen, such as increased pain, swelling, loss of function, or if you start feeling other symptoms like numbness or tingling, it would be important to seek further evaluation from a healthcare professional.
Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need additional support!
Related Questions
Should I Worry About Head Pain After a Minor Injury?
Hello Reddit! I hope everyone is doing well. I’d like to share an experience and seek some insight, especially since I tend to overthink health issues. So, yesterday at work, which involves assisting someone in their home, I had a bit of a mishap. While I was in the backyard, I accidentally bumped the back left side of my head against a supporting banister. I was rising quickly after being crouched under the deck and didn’t see it coming. At the moment, the impact stung but wasn’t overwhelming, and I didn’t feel dizzy or have significant discomfort afterward. After finishing up for the day, I returned home, took a short nap of about two hours, and then continued my evening as usual. Now, I bring this up because I'm encountering some discomfort today. Several potential reasons could be behind the current symptoms. First off, I had a few drinks last night, which makes me think this could also be related to a hangover. I stayed hydrated both last night and this morning, yet I didn’t feel any hangover signs during most of the day. The ache I'm feeling seems localized to the spot where I bumped my head, but interestingly, the pain didn't appear until after I dozed off unintentionally for about an hour around 3 PM—almost a full day later. Along with the localized pain, I’ve noticed a slight sense of mental cloudiness, a feeling I often face due to ongoing chronic pain issues. Furthermore, I’ve been experiencing fatigue, which isn’t out of the ordinary for me. If someone shared these symptoms with you, would you find them concerning?
Is a Doctor Visit Necessary for My Injury?
Greetings, I'm a 23-year-old female who recently injured my toe by stubbing it against a car jack. The impact caused a significant cut, and although the bleeding has stopped, I experience quite a bit of pain when applying pressure. Should I seek medical attention for this injury, or is it sufficient to maintain cleanliness and manage the discomfort until it heals on its own?
Inquiries for Podiatrists
Subject: Seeking Guidance on Toe Injury Symptoms Hello, I would like to share my experience and ask for some advice. I am a 21-year-old female, standing 5'5" tall. Back in 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic and the resulting lockdown, I experienced paronychia due to an ingrown toenail. For about six months, I was unable to receive any treatment or antibiotics, which was quite challenging. During that time, I did my best to maintain cleanliness of the affected area, frequently using gauze and allowing the toe to air out between changes. Eventually, I had surgery, and for the last five years, I've been largely free of any problems, aside from the typical changes in the appearance of that toenail. The podiatrist who performed the procedure applied a solution to ensure that the edges of the toenail would not grow back in. Recently, I stubbed my toe rather hard. While the toenail does not seem to be ingrown, I have begun to notice familiar symptoms returning—swelling, redness, a small bloody lump, and a dull ache. Is it possible for an injury to re-trigger these symptoms even after so much time has passed since the initial issue was resolved? I plan to schedule a doctor’s appointment tomorrow, where I hope to receive either antibiotics or antifungal cream, depending on what the issue might be. In the meantime, I am trying to keep the area clean and dry, applying a thin layer of Sudocrem before bed each night for the past few days. Thankfully, it’s not nearly as severe as it was previously, but I’m out of gauze, which is frustrating. Any advice on how to manage this situation would be greatly appreciated!
Wrist Trauma Concern
Recently, I (19 female) sought medical attention at an urgent care facility due to a wrist injury that seems to stem from repetitive stress. Given my hobbies and my diagnosis of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), I am aware that I might be prone to conditions like Carpal Tunnel syndrome. After undergoing X-rays, the doctors found no issues, and they fitted me with a brace, advising me to keep it on for a duration of one to two weeks. Lately, I've noticed an unusual sensation while moving my hand—it feels like there’s a strange motion occurring in one of my tendons. Although it’s visible, I can perceive it more readily than I can actually see it, particularly when I gently press a finger onto that specific area of my wrist. I'm uncertain whether I might be exaggerating the situation, as this kind of movement isn't present in my other wrist. Nonetheless, it feels unusual and as if something isn’t quite right. The affected wrist is my right one, and since I predominantly use that hand for tasks, I can't tell if the peculiar movements are just a result of it being my dominant side. However, I also can’t recall experiencing anything like this before.
Unexpected Fall on Ice: Seeking Advice
Hello, I’m a 28-year-old woman, standing at 5’5” and weighing approximately 200 pounds, having put on some weight due to my recent pregnancy. A couple of weeks back, I commenced treatment with a GLP-1 medication. Earlier today, while I was delivering coffee to a friend, I took a severe tumble onto some ice. I primarily landed on my left side and elbow, and I believe I either felt or heard a crack, though I can't determine if it was my body making the noise or if it came from the ice beneath me. Initially, embarrassment took precedence over any discomfort, so the pain didn’t register right away. Several hours later, I began experiencing significant back pain, particularly when engaging in movement—like turning, lifting my child, or bending down. Occasionally, I feel sharp pains shooting through my spine, shifting from my mid-back to my lower back; my right side seems to be more affected than my left. My left arm is also feeling unusually weak, my neck is sore, and there’s a bruise with throbbing pain on my elbow. I even felt a bit dizzy when I stood up earlier. Additionally, there have been slight cramps, but nothing severe. As I am a few months post-C-section, my core muscles are still recovering, which may be aggravating my back situation. I'm hesitant about seeking medical attention unless absolutely necessary, but I’m curious if anyone else has experienced a similar incident where a seemingly minor ice fall led to unexpected pains, weakness, or complications in the neck and back?