When your fracture the bones close to the base of your hand, it's called a broken wrist. If it's farther up the bone toward the elbow, you've got a broken forearm.
If the pieces of your bone are lined up correctly, your doctor will put your wrist or arm in a cast. Or you may need surgery if the fracture shattered your bone, or if the broken pieces don't line up right. Your surgeon attaches metal pins or rods, or a plate and screws, or other devices to the bone to hold it in place.