The elbow is a collection of bones that connect the humerus (upper arm) to the ulna and radius (forearm) (the forearm bones). The ulna includes the olecranon, or "point of the elbow." Any of these bones can be fractured, causing excruciating pain and severely limiting your ability to move your arm. A direct impact to the elbow from a fall, accident, or sports injury causes an elbow fracture.
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| Diagnosis and Treatment of Elbow Fractures |
Elbow Fractures Types
The following are examples of elbow fractures:
- The distal humerus is the bone that links the elbow to the shoulder joint. It can be fractured. The top half of the elbow joint is formed by it meeting the radius and ulna. Elbow fractures of this type are infrequent.
- The olecranon is the bony tip of the elbow and a component of the ulna. It can be fractured. When you bend your arm, you can see the olecranon. Because the bone is not protected by soft tissue such as tendons, muscles, or ligaments, olecranon fractures are one of the most common elbow fractures. The olecranon can easily fracture if you fall or get a direct impact to it.
- Radial head and neck fractures: When an elbow dislocates, radial fractures are common (when the joints in the elbow separate and come out of socket). They're also prevalent while breaking a fall with your hands.
If you have any of the following symptoms, contact a Penn orthopaedic expert to discover if your elbow has been fractured:
- Bruising that runs the length of the arm
- Deformity of the elbow
- Unstable elbows
- When moving the arm and elbow, it causes pain.
- Numbness in one or more fingers and the area around the elbow
- Swelling at the olecranon or elbow's tip
- Around the elbow, there is tenderness, redness, and warmth.
Elbow Fractures Diagnosis
A Penn orthopaedic specialist/surgeon will evaluate your elbow and discuss your recent accident to identify an elbow fracture. They will request advanced imaging tests to determine the location of the fracture and the severity of the break. Our musculoskeletal radiologists are professionals at reading and interpreting images from highly specialized diagnostic tests and technologies, resulting in a precise diagnosis and the best treatment plan feasible.
- CT scan
- Musculoskeletal ultrasound
- MRI
- X-ray
Elbow Fracture Treatment Options
Elbow fractures can be non-displaced (when the bones have not moved out of place) or displaced (when the bones have migrated out of place) (when the bones are seriously fractured and fragments may have separated causing the bones to move out of place).
The type of elbow fracture you have and the severity of your ailment will determine your treatment options. Non-surgical treatment options for non-displaced elbow fractures are effective. Displaced elbow fractures usually necessitate surgery to correct the fracture and, if necessary, restore ligaments and tendons.
Elbow Fractures: Nonsurgical Treatment
Most non-displaced elbow fractures can be treated using conservative approaches such as:
- Swelling can be reduced by elevating the elbow.
- Icing
- While the bones recover, immobilization with an arm sling or wrap is recommended.
- Anti-inflammatories or pain relievers
- Under the direction of a physical therapist, physical therapy and range of motion activities are performed.
Surgery for Elbow Fractures
All forms of difficult elbow fracture operations, including non-union fractures (bones that have not healed properly) and other severe bone breaks, are performed by our orthopaedic surgeons. Minor fractures do not usually necessitate surgery, but a displaced or non-union fracture will almost certainly necessitate surgery. We specialize in treating elbow fractures that necessitate many surgical procedures at once, such as bone grafting, reconstruction, and/or ligament and tendon transfer.
Our orthopaedic specialists customize surgery and treatment to meet your specific requirements. In most circumstances, you can choose between an outpatient procedure (where you go home the same day) and an overnight hospital stay.
We do the following types of elbow fracture surgeries:
Internal Fixation and Open Reduction Surgery
Surgery is required if the bones of the elbow are displaced or if there is a complex fracture. The bones are repositioned using an open reduction and internal fixation surgical technique.
Screws, plates, and pins are among the specialist hardware used by our orthopaedic surgeons. The bones are held in place with this unique hardware to guarantee proper healing. We use bone grafting and microsurgical procedures to restore soft tissues like ligaments and tendons in some circumstances.
Elbow Replacement Surgery (Total)
We have a lot of expertise conducting whole elbow replacements to treat serious elbow fracture injury. The diseased bone and soft tissue are removed, and all elements of the elbow are replaced with prosthetic parts during a total elbow replacement. A "linked" or "unlinked" approach is used in this type of surgery.
To restore the anatomy of the elbow, the linked approach installs prosthetic stems inside the humerus and ulna and joins them with a hinge.
For patients who have experienced serious elbow fractures that are difficult to cure, total elbow replacement restores movement and eliminates or considerably lowers pain.
Non-union Elbow Fracture Surgery
A shattered bone in the elbow that did not heal properly is known as a non-union elbow fracture. If an infection is present, surgery may be required to remove it and better stabilize the fracture. To encourage bone growth, a bone graft may be required. Complex non-union surgical repair with vascularized bone grafting is performed by our specialists. Vascularized bone grafts replace injured bone tissue with living bone tissue. We are vascularized bone grafting experts and one of just a few medical institutes in the country that performs this extremely specialized treatment.
Recovery after Elbow Fracture Surgery
After surgery, you'll need to get lots of rest and wear a splint to keep your elbow and arm immobile. If at all possible, keep the elbow elevated and apply ice to the affected area to assist reduce swelling. Pain relief can be achieved with non-prescription drugs. We provide a cutting-edge pain management program that efficiently reduces pain while reducing narcotic use. Pain relief facilitates recuperation. You'll work with a physical therapist as you recover, who will prescribe exercises to help you regain mobility and function.
Elbow Fracture Rehabilitation Programs That Are Customized
Physical therapists, orthopaedic surgeons, and pain management specialists at Penn collaborate to create personalized treatment regimens that ensure the best possible outcome. Your recovery time will be determined by a number of factors, including the severity of your elbow fracture and the type of surgery you underwent. Our rehabilitation programs are tailored to your lifestyle, specific circumstances, and personal recovery goals. Surgery is only the beginning of your treatment. We will work with you for as long as it takes to restore function and eliminate or significantly lessen your pain.
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