Elbow Fracture In Adults

What is an elbow fracture?

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. Your elbow joint is made up of 3 bones: humerus, radius, and ulna.

What causes an elbow fracture?

An elbow fracture is often caused by an injury. Car and sports accidents are common causes of elbow fractures. A fall onto an outstretched hand with a bent elbow may also cause an elbow fracture. A fall from a standing position may cause an elbow fracture if your bones are weak. Osteoporosis (brittle bones) can also increase your risk for an elbow fracture.

What are the types of elbow fracture?

• Non-displaced: A fracture is non-displaced when the bone cracks or breaks but stays in place.
  
  
• Displaced: A fracture is displaced when the two ends of the broken bone are separated.
  
  
• Comminuted: A fracture is comminuted when the bone cracks or breaks into many pieces.
  
  
• Open fracture: An open fracture occurs when the broken bone breaks through your skin.

What are the signs and symptoms of an elbow fracture?

You may have any of the following:

• Pain and bruising.
  
  
• Swelling.
  
  
• Tenderness (pain when touched).
  
  
• Trouble moving your arm. You may not be able to move your arm at all.
  
  
• Weakness or numbness (loss of feeling) in your elbow, arm, or hand.
  
  
• Deformity (your arm is shaped differently than normal).

How is an elbow fracture diagnosed?

Your caregiver will check the skin over your injured elbow and arm for any skin breaks. He may touch areas of your arm to see if you have decreased feeling. He may also check for any problems with your arm movements. Your caregiver may put a shot of numbing medicine into your injured elbow joint before he checks your movement. You may need any of the following:

• X-rays: X-rays are pictures of your elbow to check for broken bones.
  
  
• Computed tomography scan: This test is also called a CT scan. This is a type of x-ray that uses a computer to take pictures of your elbow joint and arm. You may be given a dye before the pictures are taken to help caregivers see the pictures better. People who are allergic to iodine or shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to shellfish or have any other allergies.
  
  
• Magnetic resonance imaging: This test is also called an MRI. Magnetic waves are used to take pictures of your elbow joint and arm. You will need to lie still during an MRI. Never enter an MRI room with any metal objects. This can cause serious injury.

How is an elbow fracture treated?

The goal of treatment is to regain the function of your elbow. Treatment may help decrease your symptoms and help you return to your daily activities. You may need any of the following:

• Devices: A brace, cast, sling, or splint may be put on your elbow to decrease your arm movement. These devices work to hold the broken bones in place. They may help decrease pain, and prevent more damage to your broken bones.
  
  
• 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.
    
    
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine: This group of medicine is also called NSAIDs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine may help decrease pain and swelling. This medicine can be bought without a doctor's order.
    
    
  • Antibiotics: This medicine will help fight or prevent an infection. Take your antibiotics until they are gone, even if you feel better.
    
    
  • Tetanus shot: You may need a tetanus shot if you have breaks in your skin from your injury. A tetanus shot is medicine to prevent you from getting tetanus. Tetanus is a serious infection that can happen after any break in your skin. The shot is normally given into your arm. You should have a tetanus shot if you have not had one in the past 5 to 10 years. Your arm can get red, swollen, and sore after this shot.
  
  
• Surgery: If you have an open fracture, you may need debridement before your surgery. Debridement is when damaged and infected tissue is removed and the wound is cleaned. Debridement is done to help prevent infection and improve healing.
  
  
  • Arthroplasty: This surgery is done to remove the damaged part of your elbow and replace it with an implant. An implant is a metal, ceramic, or plastic device that functions like your elbow joint. Your whole elbow joint, or only a part of it may be replaced.
    
    
  • Fragment excision: The broken fragments (pieces) of bone are removed from your elbow during this surgery.
    
    
  • Open reduction and internal fixation: An incision (cut) will be made in your arm. Your broken bones will be straightened. Wires, screws, metal plates, or pins may be used to hold your broken bones together. This surgery will allow your broken bones to grow back together.
    
    
  • Bone graft: A bone graft replaces lost bone from your fracture. A bone graft is a piece of bone taken from another area of your body. The bone graft may also be from a donor (another person). The graft is put into spaces between or around the broken bones in your elbow. This surgery may help your bones heal and keep their strength.
  
  
• Electrical stimulation: Electric currents are directed into your injured elbow. The currents increase the blood flow to your elbow to help with healing. This treatment may be used along with other treatments for your elbow fracture.
  
  
• Ultrasound therapy: Ultrasound treatments use sound waves directed into your elbow. The sound waves work by helping the bones in your elbow heal. You may need this treatment along with other treatments.

What can I do to help my elbow fracture heal?

• 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. 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. 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.

What are the risks of an elbow fracture?

• If you need a brace or splint, your elbow may become stiff. You may get a blood clot in your leg or arm. This can cause pain and swelling, and it can stop blood from flowing where it needs to go in your body. The blood clot can break loose and travel to your lungs. A blood clot in your lungs can cause chest pain and trouble breathing. This problem can be life-threatening.
  
  
• Surgery may damage the nerves, tissues, and blood vessels in your arm. After surgery, you may have tightness, pain, numbness, or weakness in your elbow and arm. You may form scar tissue near your surgery site leading to tightness and pain in your elbow and arm. You may get an infection in your surgery wounds. You may get arthritis (joint swelling) in your elbow, and new bone may grow into surrounding tissues. Your elbow may not heal, or work as well as it did before your injury. Screws, nails, or pins used during your surgery may come loose, and you may need another surgery.
  
  
• Without treatment, your broken elbow may not heal. If your fracture heals on its own, your arm may be deformed. You may not be able to move your elbow and arm as well as you did before your injury. You may have pain, weakness, or numbness in your elbow, arm, or hand. If you have open skin areas, you may get an infection. A severe infection may lead to a bone infection, which can be life-threatening.

When should I contact my caregiver?

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.

When should I seek immediate help?

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• Your elbow, arm, or fingers are numb.
  
  
• Your skin is swollen, cold, or pale (loses color).
  
  
• You have open skin areas on your elbow and arm that will not stop bleeding.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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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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