Elbow Fracture In Adults

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

An elbow fracture is a break in one or more of the bones that form your elbow joint. A joint is the area where bones meet. The elbow joint allows your arm to move.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Pain medicine: You may be given medicine to take away or decrease pain. Do not wait until the pain is severe before you take your medicine.
  
  
• Antibiotics: This medicine will help fight or prevent an infection. Take your antibiotics until they are gone, even if you feel better.
  
  
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine: This group of medicine is also called NSAIDs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine may help decrease pain, fever, and swelling. This medicine can be bought without a doctor's order. This medicine can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Call your caregiver if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell him if you are taking any vitamins, herbs, or other medicines. Keep a list of the medicines you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits.

Follow up with your caregiver or bone specialist as directed:

You may need a follow-up visit to remove your brace, splint, cast, or stitches from surgery. You may need an x-ray of your elbow to check how well the bone is healing. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

How to care for a brace, cast, or splint:

Follow instructions about when it is okay to take a bath or shower. It is important not to get your brace, cast, or splint wet. Before you take a bath or shower, cover your device with a plastic bag. Tape the bag to your skin above the device to help keep out water. Hold your elbow away from the water in case the bag leaks.

• Check the skin around your brace and splint daily for any redness or open skin areas.
  
  
• Do not use a sharp or pointed object to scratch your skin under the brace or splint.
  
  
• Do not remove your brace or splint unless you are directed to.

Elevate your elbow:

Use pillows to keep your elbow raised above the level of your heart as often as you can. This helps decrease swelling, and pain and improves blood flow. Elevation can also help the injury heal faster. While your elbow is elevated, wiggle your fingers and open and close them to prevent hand stiffness.

Ice:

Use ice to help decrease swelling and pain. Put crushed ice in a plastic bag and cover it with a towel. Put the ice pack on your elbow for 15 to 20 minutes every hour. Use the ice for as long as directed.

Physical therapy:

You may need physical therapy soon after your broken elbow has been treated. A physical therapist will help you with exercises to improve the movement of your elbow joint and arm. The exercises can also help make your arm bones and muscles stronger. The exercises can help prevent problems such as stiffness and tightness in your elbow.

Wound care:

Follow instructions about how to care for your wounds after surgery.

Contact your caregiver if:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• The pain gets worse, even after you rest and take your medicine.
  
  
• You have new or worse trouble moving your arm.
  
  
• You have new sores around the area of your brace or splint.
  
  
• Your brace or splint becomes damaged.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your injury, treatment, or care.

Seek help immediately or call 911 if:

• Your skin becomes swollen, cold, or pale (loses color).
  
  
• You have bleeding from a wound on your elbow or arm that will not stop.
  
  
• You have drainage from your surgery wounds or open skin areas.
  
  
• Your surgery wounds or open skin areas become red, warm, and swollen.
  
  
• Your elbow, hand, or fingers are numb.
  
  
• Your arm feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
  
  
• You have chest pain or trouble breathing that is getting worse over time.
  
  
• You suddenly feel lightheaded and have trouble breathing.
  
  
• You have new and sudden chest pain. You may have more pain when you take deep breaths or cough. You may cough up blood.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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