...but i'm not sure. Upper right arm - right in the middle between my shoulder and elbow. Doesn't hurt most of the time unless I use it. Seriously, it'* okay to type and keep it by my side...but when I raise it more than a few inches from my side....when I try to hold it out straight for too long...when I try to brush my hair or take off my shirt... and rolling it is totally out of the question. Now it'* just plain aching...

I've had muscle aches sprains, bruises, a torn ligament in my knee, and just plan old age aches.... I've never had a break or a crack <knocks on wood> so I don't know what it feels like.

Anyone ever break this part of your arm before?

Ouch! I've never broken or fractured any of MY bones but atleast I can feel sorry for your pain. So no more takingoff your shirt for a while huh.. :( there goes the entertainment.

Seriously, have it checked out.

Lol... oh, I still have one good hand and can be creative at times. Seriously though, it really doesn't hurt...it just lets me know when I shouldn't move it a certain way. Of course, I've been told I have a high pain threshold. (which I proved by riding with Boosty for 46 hours...one way).

If you haven't suffered any recent traumatic injury, it is unlikely there is anything "cracked". Other factors such as a bone disorder may cause a spontaenous fracture but again, you would likely know about something like this.

I have had similar problems myself from time to time. I found that even sleeping in the wrong position can cause this. If one or more nerves become pinched or compressed, you can end up with such things as muscles spasms. This can cause atypical forces to be applied to joints resulting in pain and decreased range of motion. In my case, some ibuprofen has helped and they have worked themselves out in two or three days. Sometimes you will also note tightness or discomfort in neck muscles on the affected side along with pain in or around the scapula (shoulder blade). Even headaches can occur.

As I said, without a known traumatic cause it is likely muscular in origin (although not always). If you are concerned, or it lasts more than a couple of days then I'd be in to get it checked. I certainly wouldn't antagonize it though.

Ibuprofen is a generally safe medication to take. It has some similarities to ASA so should be avoided if you have a sensitivity there. If you take other medications at present, check with a pharmacist for drug interactions first. Also consider this if you have any known medical problems or conditions that this class of medication may complicate. The good thing about ibuprofen is that not only is it an analgesic, it has anti-inflammatory properties. Be sure to follow bottle directions carefully. These can be hard on the stomach so taking them with food is recommended.

Try to go get it x-rayed just to be sure. Maybe it'* a stress fracture?

Ddalder - Your information is very good and true... Ibuprophen will ease the pain, however I've chosen not to take any right now to prevent from over using the arm. At least until I know for sure what'* up with it.

I realized...after reading your first line... that I forgot to post how it happened. Tramatic injury ...wel l... would slaming my body down on a volleyball court on Friday be a good tramatic event? (for those of you who know me...the answer is YES!)
I play Vball on a sand court every week... and dive, tuck and roll, you name it. I'm all over the court to get the ball.

...BUT, Friday I was at my work'* summer picnic - it was dirt -and it got packed down hard as cement by the time we were done. I took some pretty hard hits before the day was over...but again, didn't think too much about it since I play every week. Dumb...dumb....I know...

And yes...going to Dr tomorrow...will likely get an xray.

This certainly clears things up a little. Keep in mind that if it is uncomfortable, you can still take ibuprofen (providing there are none of the potential contraindications I mentioned before). In fact because this is a traumatic injury and in addition to a possible bone or joint problem there will be some degree of soft tissue injury, an anti-inflammatory is probably a good idea. This should not inhibit the ability for the physician to complete a proper assessment. Due to the mechanism of injury, an x-ray is very likely (given your complaints) with or without an excess of pain. I often give people a narcotic analgesic and muscle relaxant during transport to hospital to take the edge off the pain for similar injuries. This isn't something you should even consider, but my point is that if you're worried about masking the pain it shouldn't be of much concern.

Heh, ask my Bro sometime about some of the weird ways you can hurt yourself. He'* got a healed break in his arm that he sure as hell doesn't remember earning.
Tracy, sounds like you probably green-sticked it. A green stick fracture is when the crack actually runs along the length of the bone. That'* what usually happens if you land on the point of the elbow. Most of the time, it won't break all the way through the bone. If it was completely fractured, you'd damn well know it.
If I'm right, they'll probably give you a painkiller, a sling, and a lecture on the effects of aging on bone density.

Hate to disagree with you, however... A greenstick fracture is a pediatric injury. This occurs because the bones in infants and young kids are not fully developed and are still very pliable. There is virtually no chance of this whatsoever. Think of taking a tree branch and bending it until wood splinters away. This is exactly what happens with a greenstick fracture. Adult bones are too hard and rigid for this to occur.

I bow to obviously superior knowledge. You obviously do this for a living, are you an EMT, or a full-on MD.?

Am I thinking of a stress fracture? I do know it is possible for an adult to crack a bone lengthwise, just ask my right fifth metacarpal about boxer'* fractures.