What are the common symptoms of a broken hand. How is a broken hand diagnosed and treated. What are the potential complications of a broken hand. How long does it take for a broken hand to heal.

Understanding Hand Anatomy and Fracture Types

The human hand is a complex structure composed of various bones that work together to provide support and facilitate movement. To comprehend hand fractures better, it’s crucial to understand the basic anatomy:

• Phalanges: These are the small bones that form the fingers and thumb. Each finger has three phalanges, while the thumb has two.
• Metacarpals: The five bones located in the palm of the hand, connecting the fingers to the wrist.

Hand fractures can occur in any of these bones, and they are classified into different types based on their characteristics:

• Stable fracture: The bone pieces remain aligned
• Unstable fracture: Bone fragments have shifted
• Comminuted fracture: The bone is shattered into multiple pieces
• Open (compound) fracture: A bone fragment breaks through the skin, increasing the risk of infection

The Boxer’s Fracture: A Common Hand Injury

One of the most frequent hand fractures is the boxer’s fracture, which affects the fifth metacarpal – the bone supporting the little finger. This injury often results from punching or striking a hard object with a closed fist. It can also occur due to falls, motor vehicle accidents, or other traumatic events.

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of a Broken Hand

Identifying a broken hand promptly is crucial for proper treatment and recovery. The following symptoms may indicate a hand fracture:

• Pain and stiffness in the affected area
• Swelling and bruising
• Difficulty moving the hand, wrist, or fingers
• Visible deformities, such as a crooked finger
• Tenderness to touch
• Inability to move a finger
• Shortened finger appearance
• Scissoring of fingers when making a fist

In the case of a boxer’s fracture, the knuckle may appear sunken or depressed due to displacement or angulation of the bone.

Causes and Risk Factors for Hand Fractures

Hand fractures occur when sufficient force is applied to a bone, causing it to break. Common causes include:

• Falls, especially when trying to break the fall with an outstretched hand
• Direct blows or crushing injuries
• Sports-related accidents
• Motor vehicle collisions
• Workplace injuries

Certain factors may increase the risk of hand fractures:

• Participation in high-impact sports or activities
• Osteoporosis or other conditions that weaken bones
• Age, as older adults are more prone to fractures
• Lack of proper protective equipment in hazardous environments

Diagnosis and Medical Evaluation of Hand Fractures

To diagnose a hand fracture accurately, medical professionals typically follow these steps:

1. Physical examination: The doctor will inspect the hand for visible deformities, swelling, and bruising. They will also assess the range of motion and sensation in the affected area.
2. Medical history: The physician will inquire about the circumstances of the injury and any pre-existing conditions that may affect treatment.
3. Imaging studies: X-rays are the primary diagnostic tool for hand fractures. They help determine the location, type, and severity of the fracture.

In some cases, additional imaging techniques such as CT scans or MRI may be necessary to evaluate complex fractures or soft tissue damage.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

While not all hand injuries require emergency care, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention:

• Visible bone protruding through the skin
• Severe pain or numbness
• Obvious deformity or misalignment
• Signs of infection, such as fever or redness spreading from the injury site

Treatment Options for Broken Hands

The treatment approach for a broken hand depends on the type and severity of the fracture. Here are the main treatment options:

Conservative Treatment

For stable fractures, non-surgical methods may be sufficient:

• Immobilization: A splint or cast is used to keep the broken bone in place while it heals.
• Pain management: Over-the-counter or prescription pain medications can help alleviate discomfort.
• Ice therapy: Applying ice to the affected area can reduce swelling and pain.

Surgical Intervention

More severe or unstable fractures may require surgical treatment:

• Closed reduction: The bone is realigned without making an incision, often using wires or pins to hold it in place.
• Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF): Surgery is performed to realign the bone fragments and secure them with pins, plates, or screws.
• Bone grafting: In cases of severe bone loss or crushing, a bone graft may be necessary to promote healing.

Recovery and Rehabilitation Process

The healing time for a broken hand varies depending on the fracture’s severity and the chosen treatment method. Generally, it takes about 3-6 weeks for the bone to heal, but full recovery may take several months. The recovery process typically involves:

1. Initial immobilization period
2. Gradual reintroduction of movement
3. Physical therapy to regain strength and flexibility
4. Occupational therapy to improve hand function in daily activities

During recovery, patients may experience:

• Formation of a fracture callus (a bony lump at the fracture site)
• Temporary stiffness in the hand and fingers
• Weakness in the affected area

Tips for a Successful Recovery

To enhance the healing process and minimize complications, patients should:

• Follow the doctor’s instructions carefully
• Attend all follow-up appointments
• Participate actively in prescribed therapy sessions
• Avoid smoking, as it can impair bone healing
• Maintain a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
• Gradually increase hand use as advised by the healthcare provider

Potential Complications and Long-Term Effects

While most hand fractures heal without significant issues, some potential complications may arise:

• Stiffness: Even after healing, the hand may remain stiff due to the close relationship between bones, ligaments, and tendons.
• Malunion: Improper healing can lead to deformity or misalignment of the bone.
• Infection: Particularly a risk in open fractures or after surgery.
• Delayed or non-union: The bone may heal slowly or fail to heal completely.
• Post-traumatic arthritis: Fractures that extend into the joint may increase the risk of arthritis in the future.
• Growth plate injuries: In children, fractures near growth plates can affect future bone growth.

Regular follow-up with a hand specialist can help monitor healing progress and address any potential complications promptly.

Prevention Strategies for Hand Fractures

While not all hand fractures can be prevented, several measures can reduce the risk of injury:

• Use proper protective equipment during sports and high-risk activities
• Practice fall prevention techniques, especially for older adults
• Maintain bone health through a balanced diet and regular exercise
• Avoid punching hard objects or surfaces
• Create a safe home and work environment to minimize accident risks

By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for hand fractures, individuals can make informed decisions about their care and take steps to protect their hand health. If you suspect a hand fracture, seek medical attention promptly to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment, maximizing the chances of a full recovery and minimizing long-term complications.

Broken Hand: Symptoms and Treatment

The bones of the hand serve as a framework. This framework supports the muscles that make the wrist and fingers move. When one of these hand bones is broken (fractured), it can prevent you from using the hand, wrist and fingers.

Many people think that a fracture is different from a break, but they are the same (see Figure 1). There can be different variations of a fracture, including:

• Stable fracture, when the bone pieces are aligned
• Unstable fracture, when there are bone fragments that have shifted
• Comminuted fracture, when the bone is shattered into many pieces
• Open (compound) fracture, when a bone fragment breaks through the skin. This causes risk of infection.

Figure 1

Examples of a broken hand, specifically the fingers

Figure 2

Examples of plates pins and screws used while a broken hand heals

Causes

A broken hand can occur when enough force is applied to a bone to break it.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of a broken hand can include:

• Pain and stiffness
• Difficulty moving the hand, wrist and/or fingers
• Deformities such as a crooked finger (this is less likely)

Treatment

Medical evaluation and x-rays are usually needed for your doctor to diagnose the fracture and determine the treatment. Depending on the type of fracture, your hand surgeon may recommend one of several treatment methods.

A splint or cast may be used to treat a stable fracture Some unstable fractures, in which the bone has moved, may need to be set and then held in place with wires or pins. This is done without surgery. More serious fractures may need surgery to set the bone and hold the bone fragments together with pins, plates or screws (see Figure 2).

Sometimes, bone may be missing or be so severely crushed that it cannot be repaired. In such cases, a bone graft may be necessary. In this procedure, bone is taken from another part of the body.

Recovery

Sometimes, a bony lump may appear at the spot of the broken bone during recovery known as a “fracture callus.” This is normal, and the lump usually gets smaller over time.

Some problems you may have while your broken hand is healing include:

• Stiffness
• Shifting of bone
• Infection
• Slow healing

To increase your chances of a healthy recovery, do not smoke, and carefully follow your doctor’s instructions. Your doctor may recommend hand therapy to improve the process.

It is important to note that not all fractures completely heal. Because bones have such a close relationship with ligaments and tendons, the hand may be stiff and weak even after the healing process. Some fractures may lead to arthritis down the road. In addition, fractures in children occasionally affect future growth of that bone.

© 2016 American Society for Surgery of the Hand

This content is written, edited and updated by hand surgeon members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Find a hand surgeon near you

Hand Fractures – OrthoInfo – AAOS

A hand fracture is a break in one of the bones in the hand. This includes:

• The small bones of the fingers (phalanges)
• The long bones within the palm (metacarpals)

A broken hand can be caused by a fall, crush injury, or twisting injury, or through direct contact in sports.

In many cases, a hand fracture will heal well with nonsurgical treatment. Depending on the type and location of the fracture, this may include wearing a cast, splint or buddy straps for a period of time. For more serious fractures or for fractures that do not line up properly, however, surgery may be required to realign the broken pieces of bone and keep them in place until they heal.

The bones in your hand include:

• Phalanges. These are the small bones that form the thumb and fingers. There are two phalanges in the thumb and three in each of the fingers.
• Metacarpals. These are the five bones located in the palm of the hand. The metacarpals connect the fingers to the hand and wrist.

The most common hand fracture is a fracture of the fifth metacarpal — the bone in the hand that supports the little finger. This is commonly called a “boxer’s fracture” and involves the “neck” of the bone, next to the knuckle joint. A boxer’s fracture is caused most often by punching or striking a hard object when your hand is closed in a fist. It can also be caused by a fall, motor vehicle accident, or other trauma.

The bones of the hand. A fracture can occur in the middle of a bone or at the end, near the joint.

Reproduced from JF Sarwark, ed: Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care, ed 4. Rosemont, IL, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2010.

Signs and symptoms of a hand fracture may include:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Tenderness or pain
• Deformity
• Inability to move the finger
• Shortened finger
• The injured finger crossing over its neighbor (scissoring) when making a fist

In the case of a boxer’s fracture, the patient’s knuckle may look sunken in or depressed. This is caused by the displacement or angulation of the end, or “head,” of the metacarpal bone.

X-ray of a “boxer’s fracture” in the fifth metacarpal. This common hand fracture can cause the knuckle on the affected finger to appear sunken in or angulated.

Reproduced from Johnson TR, Steinbach LS (eds): Essentials of Musculoskeletal Imaging. Rosemont, IL American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2004, p. 347.

To Top

Physical Examination

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and perform a careful examination of your fingers and hand. During the exam, they may look for:

• Swelling or bruising
• Deformity
• Overlapping of your fingers
• Cuts or lacerations to the skin around the injury
• Limited range of motion
• Joint stability
• Numbness in your fingers, a sign of possible nerve damage

Typically, your doctor will evaluate the tendons in your hand to ensure they are functioning properly and will check for instability in the joint(s) near the fracture.

(Left) This patient’s fractured ring finger cannot be easily detected when his hand is fully extended. (Right) When he makes a partial fist, however, the fracture is more obvious. The fractured ring finger overlaps the adjacent little finger.

Reproduced and adapted from Lehman TP: Hand fractures: current concepts. Orthopaedic Knowledge Online Journal 2012; 10(3). Accessed June 2017.

X-rays

X-rays provide images of dense structures, such as bone. Your doctor may order one or more X-rays to help identify the location and extent of the fracture.

X-rays show a phalanx fracture (left) and a metacarpal fracture (right).

(Left) Reproduced from Kozin SH, Thoder JJ, Lieberman G: Operative Treatment of Metacarpal and Phalangeal Shaft Fractures. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2000;8:111-121. (Right) Reproduced from Johnson TR, Steinbach LS (eds): Essentials of Musculoskeletal Imaging. Rosemont, IL American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2004, p. 347.

Nonsurgical Treatment

If a fracture does not line up in an acceptable position, your doctor can often realign the bone fragments by gently manipulating them back into position without making an incision. This procedure is called a closed reduction. A cast, splint or brace may be applied to keep the bones in acceptable alignment while they heal. The cast may extend from your fingertips almost to your elbow to support the bones properly.

Your doctor will probably order a second set of X-rays about 1 to 2 weeks later. This is done to ensure that the bones are healing in the proper position.

Depending on the location and stability of the fracture, you may have to wear the cast for 3 to 6 weeks. Some types of fractures can be protected by wearing a removable splint or by being “buddy strapped” to a non-injured finger next to the injured finger. The non-injured finger acts as a “moving splint” to support the injured finger.

You can usually begin gentle hand exercises after 3 weeks.

Surgical Treatment

Some hand fractures require surgery to realign and stabilize the fracture fragments. Surgery is often necessary for open fractures in which pieces of bone have broken through the skin.

Your doctor may need to make an incision to help reposition the bone fragments into their normal alignment. Small metal devices — such as wires, screws, pins, staples, and plates — may be used to hold the pieces of fractured bone in place.

(Left) X-ray shows a metacarpal fracture of the ring finger. (Right) Here, the fracture has been repaired with a plate and screws.

Reproduced from Kozin SH, Thoder JJ, Lieberman G: Operative Treatment of Metacarpal and Phalangeal Shaft Fractures. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2000;8:111-121.

After surgery, you may have to wear a splint or cast for a period of time to protect the fracture. If the bone changes position during healing, your finger may lose some function. Your doctor will talk with you about when it is safe to begin range-of-motion exercises and to resume your normal activities after surgery.

(Left) X-ray shows fractures in the phalanges of two fingers. (Right) In this X-ray, the fractures have been repaired with screws.

Reproduced from Kozin SH, Thoder JJ, Lieberman G: Operative Treatment of Metacarpal and Phalangeal Shaft Fractures. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2000; 8:111-121.

Because some fractures require prolonged immobilization in a cast or splint, your hand and fingers may become stiff. Your doctor or, in some cases, an occupational therapist, physical therapist or hand therapist, will provide specific exercises to help decrease stiffness and improve function.

Even after carefully following therapy instructions after fracture treatment, some patients may continue to have difficulty with stiffness or a contracture (loss of motion) in the hand. If this occurs, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure to help restore motion and/or function to your finger. Commonly used procedures include:

• Surgical removal of the retained hardware (such as pins, screws, or plate and screws)
• Tenolysis — freeing up a tendon from scar tissue
• Contracture release — releasing the tight or restrictive supporting structures around the involved joint, including the ligaments and/or joint capsule

Generally, these procedures are used once a fracture has healed and there is no evidence of progress or improvement in the return of function to the injured finger. Your doctor will talk with you about whether you need an additional procedure and, if so, how it may affect your recovery.

With proper treatment, a majority of hand fractures go on to heal with good overall function.

However, some fractures are more problematic than others and can result in poor outcomes. It is important to seek medical care for a hand fracture as soon as possible to ensure the best possible outcome. When treatment is delayed, a hand fracture becomes harder to care for and does not do as well as fractures that are treated promptly.

To Top

What to do if you break your arm? – useful articles from specialists

Neither adults nor children are immune from bruises, abrasions, dislocations and even fractures. The causes of injury can be excessive physical exertion, an accidental fall, a blow with a heavy object, an accident, and so on. If trouble has happened to you or your loved ones, there is a suspicion of a fracture, the first step is to determine the severity of the injury. You can’t do without the help of the medical staff. Any self-diagnosis is fraught with serious consequences.

Depending on the type of damage to the hand, there are two types of fracture:

• Open – there is a rupture of tissues, skin, there is bleeding.
• Closed – no bleeding, the skin remains intact.

When the integrity of one bone is broken, we are dealing with an isolated fracture. If there is a fracture of several bones, then we are talking about a multiple fracture.

Depending on the complexity of the injury, the absence or presence of displacement, the signs of a fracture of the hand may vary significantly. However, the presence of a fracture can be determined by specific signs.

Among its main clinical manifestations are:

• severe pain;
• hemorrhage;
• swelling, edema at the site of injury;
• crunching of bone fragments;
• deformation of the injured area;
• excessive mobility of the injured part of the arm or inability to move it;
• fever;
• pale skin;
• nausea, dizziness;
• coldness of the extremity.

If you have the above symptoms, be sure to call an ambulance or go to the nearest emergency room. An x-ray will help clarify the diagnosis. Having studied the picture, the doctor will be able to determine the nature of the injury, the presence of bone fragments, the integrity of the joint.

What should I do if I break my arm?

When an injury is accompanied by bleeding, first aid is needed on the spot. Any delay can lead to terrible results. Therefore, first of all, you should stop the bleeding, and then deal with the fracture. How to do it? Wash the wound with hydrogen peroxide, apply a gauze bandage to the damaged surface. In the presence of severe bleeding, it is imperative to apply a tourniquet (in winter for half an hour, in summer for 2 hours). Important to know: if the blood is brightly colored and flows out intensively, you are dealing with an injury to the arterial vessels. The tourniquet must be applied above the fracture. In the event that the blood is thick and dark, you have a vein injury. A tourniquet is applied below the injured area.

If there is a suspicion of a dislocation, in no case should you try to set it yourself. Such work can only be entrusted to an experienced doctor.

If you decide to transport the victim to the nearest hospital, be sure to follow the rules for transporting a broken limb. We are talking about the correct fixation of the hand, with the help of sticks, fabric, cardboard – everything that can play the role of a tire.

Don’t forget to remove bracelets and rings from your arm, because jewelry interferes with natural circulation, and after swelling of the limbs, they will have to be removed using special tools.

Never do this if someone has a broken arm:

• Do not try to return the injured limb to its normal position.
• Do not transport an injured person without securing the injured arm.
• Do not try to get painkillers to drink or ointments to be applied to the bruised area. A sedative can be given when the victim is in a state of stress, shock.
• Do not splint unless you have an idea of ​​how to do it correctly. Better call an ambulance.
• Don’t be idle! Even in the presence of a slight swelling of the tissues, an x-ray should be taken and a full consultation with a traumatologist should be obtained.

Violating such prohibitions, you run the risk of significantly worsening the condition of the victim.

And most importantly, forget about any self-treatment. Practice shows that the slightest deformation, minimal displacement entails shortening of the arm and other complications.

The subsequent treatment and recovery depend on how professionally first aid is provided for a fractured limb.

How do I fix a broken drone arm?

Drone accidents and crashes happen even to the best pilots. Depending on how high the aircraft fell from, as well as the angle and parts of the aircraft that hit the ground, the aircraft may be completely destroyed or some of its components may fail before others. Since the arms of a drone stick out of the body, they are one of the first things that can be damaged in a crash landing or hard landing.

You can repair the drone.

You can fix a broken drone arm using a combination of wire and glue, epoxy, Loctite, and try to weld plastic together with MEK. Attempting to fix your drone may void your warranty or upgrade plans, so be careful.

In this article, I’ll show you how to fix a broken drone arm, including using glue, epoxy, plastic welding methods, replacing the arm and frame yourself, and when to just send it back to the manufacturer for a full repair.

To figure out which repair method is right for you, you first need to understand what type of plastic drones are made of and how best to repair each type of material.

Contents

What materials are used in drones?

Drones must be made from materials that are light in weight, yet impact resistant and able to withstand high operating temperatures due to the fact that drone electronics can get relatively hot during flight.

Frame

Frame

The frame of the drone is usually made of magnesium alloy, which contains approximately 90% magnesium, 9% aluminum and 1% zinc. This may vary for each drone, but it provides incredible strength and corrosion resistance. It is 34% lighter than aluminum and is a popular choice for drone frames. It is one of the lightest structural metals in the world, making it ideal for drones, as even the smallest increase in weight can result in a significant reduction in flight time.

Enclosure

On top of the frame that houses the components is an enclosure. The material the case is made of must also be impact resistant as it is the last shield to protect the internal components from any accident or incident that may occur.

The case is what you need for impact protection.

Depending on the type of drone, the body can be made of high impact polystyrene (HIPS) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Let’s take a look at some of the drones that use each of these materials.

High-impact polystyrene (HIPS)

High-impact polystyrene is used in drones such as the DJI Phantom and is usually applied to the body.

High strength polystyrene used in drones such as the DJI Phantom.

Because styrene is immiscible with some other polymers, it forms a matrix rather than a complete blend of materials. This feature means that when the material is subjected to stress, microcracks form and the energy of the propagating crack is transferred to the rubber particles.

Energy transfer to rubber particles.

The energy transfer to the rubber, which is mixed with polystyrene, means it is impact resistant.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) – Mavic Series

ABS is made by reacting styrene, acrylonitrile and polybutadiene. They can be mixed in various ratios, giving different physical properties to each mixture. The addition of acrylonitrile makes ABS stronger than pure polystyrene, while acrylonitrile contributes to chemical resistance, fatigue strength, hardness and rigidity, and provides protection from the high temperatures at which drones operate. Styrene gives the plastic a shiny and impermeable surface, and also increases hardness, stiffness and improves recyclability.

Styrene makes plastics shiny and impenetrable.

Many drone body materials are injection molded, which means they can be produced very quickly in a continuous production process.

This material can also be used for drone propellers as it is lightweight and resistant to stress and strain – something that propellers are subjected to to a large extent.

Warning

As drone owners, we often get impatient trying to get our drone in the air as quickly as possible. Undoubtedly, at the most crucial moment, repairing a drone with your own hands becomes an attractive offer.

If you don’t want the drone back in the air as soon as possible.

Sometimes it’s better to take a step back and send your drone to a professional for repair than trying to fix it yourself. Sending the drone back to the manufacturer may be the slowest and most expensive option, but you are guaranteed to get back a drone that is safe to fly and unlikely to cause any further damage to yourself, others, or property due to poor quality repairs.

As we wrote above, we don’t know what to do with the drone.

The first thing people pay attention to when fixing the drone’s plastic body is the glue. Let’s take a look at some common options that can be used for gluing drone parts together.

Glue

Glue is a useful tool if the damage is superficial and you want some parts of the aircraft not to vibrate, or the damaged part is not a structural component of the aircraft.

The adhesive is only effective if it has the chemical bond it can create with the plastic surface, so the correct adhesive must be selected and also ensure that the surface is as clean as possible before applying the adhesive

First clean the surface with IPA

Before applying adhesive on the surface, you need to clean it thoroughly.

Drones are always subject to dust, dirt and grease generated during operation. Making sure the surface you are going to apply the adhesive to is clean is very important.

Water, soap, soap, soap.

Water and soap will not remove some contaminants, so isopropyl alcohol should be used to thoroughly clean the crack and surrounding area.

• Make sure the aircraft is turned off and the battery is completely disconnected.
• Use a cotton swab or microfiber towel and apply a small amount of isopropyl alcohol to the surface.
• Gently rub isopropyl alcohol over the surface of the crack.
• Use a toothpick with a small amount of material on it to penetrate the crack as deep as possible.
• Allow to air dry for at least 10 minutes and use an air blower (such as those found on cameras) to blow through the center of the crack until it is completely dry.

After you have thoroughly cleaned the area (maybe more than once), you need to choose the right adhesive or epoxy. Here are a few options for you to consider.

Bondic Liquid Plastic

Get the latest price on this product here – click here

Bondic Liquid Plastic is a 100% waterproof and weather resistant adhesive that dries clear and can then be sanded off.

The advantage of this adhesive is that it does not contain solvents, remains liquid and hardens under UV light. This means it will last a long time on your shelf, and if you’re not happy with the first application, you can simply wipe it off and start over.

Bondic Liquid Plastic is ideal for drone bodies, as well as many other materials, so it’s a must have at home.

Loctite

Get the latest price here – click here.

Loctite Plastic Bonding Super Glue is a two part adhesive system that cures in seconds and cures in hours.

It bonds to many other materials and is resistant to water, many chemicals and low temperatures.

Plastaid

Plastaid is a two part epoxy adhesive that you mix together a powder and liquid to make a strong, hard, durable and strong waterproof plastic in about 15 minutes.

Plastaid bonds many other materials.

Plastaid adheres to many plastics, including ABS, which is used to make drones, and can also adhere mechanically to surfaces such as wood and brick.

The natural color of plasticine is whitish, but you can add wood stain or acrylic to it to change the color. Do not add too much as this may change the bonding ability.

E6000

Get latest price here – click here

This is an industrial adhesive that is ideal for bonding plastic, wood, vinyl, rubber and many other materials.

The great thing about this material is that it dries completely clear and does not ignite after curing.

Although some surface cracks that may appear after a hard landing or a relatively low free fall can be covered with adhesive, sometimes some parts of the aircraft need to be more securely fixed.

The parts of the drone can be glued together for added stability and durability. This is especially important for the drone arm, where a lot of forces act on materials during flight.

Wire and Glue Method

I know from experience how effective it is to use the physical method of fastening two plastic components together (wire or thread) and then backing that connection up with glue or epoxy.

My glasses broke right down the middle of the frame and I was able to drill two small holes to put wire through. I soldered the wire in place and was able to maintain the physical connection with glue.

Since I learned this magic repair method, I have also fixed a number of other plastics and things in my house that have failed. As a result, the repaired crack was stronger than virgin plastic.

This method is based on the ability to drill two or more small holes in the area next to the damage in order to pass the wire through them.

This method is ideal if the adhesive is not strong enough to provide the required level of hold.

• Drill two small holes, one on each side of the damage, large enough to thread wire or string through.
• Pass the wire or thread through the holes – you can pass as many times as you want to increase the stability of the physical fixation.
• Repeat this in many places to ensure maximum hold.
• Inject glue or epoxy through the holes and over the wire or thread.
• Wait for full cure – sometimes up to 48 hours.

Using this technique, you can create a really strong hold of two plastic pieces.

There is also a technique that does not require glue or epoxy and may be perfect for your drone crash.

Plastic welding

If you need to join two pieces of plastic together, you can use a technique called plastic welding.

Welding plastic is a relatively simple task and you can use a solvent to fix the plastic and then join them together.

Methyl Ethyl Ketone

Methyl Ethyl Ketone is a solvent that can dissolve some plastics. It is a toxic solvent so it must be used in a very well ventilated area and be sure to follow all relevant safety regulations when working with solvents.

If you want to use methyl ethyl ketone as a solvent, make sure you use it.

If you don’t want to work with methyl ethyl ketone, you can also use acetone, although it is less aggressive and less toxic.

Ethyl ketone may be difficult to find because it is a controlled substance.

Here’s how you use it:

• clean the weld with isopropyl alcohol and let it dry completely.
• Apply a small amount of thinner to the area to be welded, making sure the pieces fit together like a puzzle.
• hold parts together for one minute with relatively high pressure
• allow solvent to evaporate completely before use.

There is a YouTube video here in which solvent is used to bond hard pieces of plastic together, including ABS plastic.

Replacing the arm yourself

If your drone incident sustained more damage than can be easily repaired with solvent, glue or wire, you should consider replacing the entire arm yourself.

This can be a very tricky and tedious process as you will need a number of skills to successfully replace the arm yourself.

You will need knowledge of microelectronics soldering, as well as the ability to remove solder points and strip them with copper tape.

If you’re going down this path, I recommend that you practice on disposable electronics – these can be found at any recyclable store – before you start working on your own drone.

Here is a video showing how you can replace the manipulator yourself.

How to change the bracket on the drone?

Replacing the arm on your drone requires a number of skills, and here’s a video that walks you through the most important steps.

You will notice that this is quite a complicated procedure, and you will not only have to disassemble the drone without damaging the plastic valves and components, but also deal with small internal and electronic welding.

I recommend that you watch a few YouTube videos specifically for the drone model you want to repair before attempting to do so on your drone.

Send to DJI for repair

The last and probably the best option is to send the drone to the manufacturer for repair.

If you have a DJI care refresh package, you can get up to 3 spare drones for two years in case of accidental damage and up to 2 new drones in case of departure.

The DJI care refresh service is worth it if you want to be sure that your drone will be repaired by the original manufacturer, which means that if they can fix it, they will most likely replace it with another one.

If you don’t have DJI care refresh service, it’s been reported online that drone arm replacement can cost anywhere from $100 to $160.

This is much less than the price of a new drone and is made by the original manufacturer. Which should give you confidence in your abilities.

If you want to know more about whether to upgrade your DJI care refresh plan, check out my other article – Should you upgrade to DJI care refresh? [Comparisons and tables] – click here to go to the article.