Elbow fractures

There are several types of fractures ranging in severity from mild to severe. These include:

Hairline (stress) fracture

This is a thin crack in the bone and is caused by stress or pressure on your bone over a long period of time. Hairline fractures often don't have any obvious signs such as severe pain, bruising, deformity, or difficulty moving your arm. Your arm may ache and there may be redness or swelling around the site of your fracture.

Nondisplaced fracture

If a fracture is nondisplaced, your bone is broken but remains in the correct position. This type of fracture can normally be treated without surgery.

Displaced fracture

If you have a displaced fracture, your broken bone has moved out of its correct position. The bone must be put back into the right place before the fracture can heal. This may be done through a procedure called a closed reduction, or with surgery.

Open (compound) fracture

Open fractures occur when the broken bone is protruding through your skin. This type of fracture needs immediate treatment to prevent infection and is treated with surgery.

Comminuted fracture

A comminuted fracture is where your bone has broken into three or more pieces. It is treated with surgery.

Types of elbow fractures

In addition to the types of fractures listed above, there are three main types of elbow fractures depending on which bones are involved.

Radial head fracture

The radius is one of the two bones that make up your lower arm. The radial head is where the top of the radius connects to your humerus (upper arm bone). Radial head fractures commonly occur when you put your arms out to try and break your fall. This causes the radius to push into the humerus, resulting in a fracture.

Distal humerus fracture

The distal humerus is the lower end of the humerus, close to your elbow. Distal humerus fractures are very painful and make it impossible to move your elbow joint. This type of elbow fracture is uncommon, but can occur due to a high-impact blow to the elbow such as in a car accident or falling on a bent elbow. They can also occur in people with elbow osteoarthritis.

Olecranon fracture

The tip of your elbow (olecranon) is part of the ulna bone of your lower arm. Olecranon fractures are common as the olecranon is unprotected by muscle and soft tissue and vulnerable to injury. Olecranon fractures may occur due to a direct blow such as falling onto your elbow or a blow from an object, or an indirect impact such as putting your arms out to break your fall.

If you fracture your elbow you may experience:

• A snapping or popping sound at the time of your injury
• Severe pain which may affect your whole arm
• Swelling at the back of your elbow
• Bruising around your elbow joint which may extend to your arm, wrist, and hand
• Difficulty bending or straightening your arm
• Difficulty rotating your forearm
• Loss of feeling in your elbow, arm, or hand
• Feeling that your elbow is unstable and may pop out of place
• Your elbow may appear distorted and out of place

Elbow fractures are a common injury, especially in children. They may be caused by:

• Falling on an outstretched arm
• A forceful blow to your elbow
• Falling forcefully onto your elbow
• Trauma, such as a car accident

At your first consultation, you will be seen by a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, a specialist in problems affecting your bones and joints.

Your consultant may ask about:

• How you injured your elbow
• What symptoms you are experiencing
• Whether you have ever injured your elbow before
• If you have any other symptoms that may seem unrelated to your elbow injury

Your consultant will perform a physical examination of your elbow. This may include:

• Examining your elbow for visible signs such as external cuts, swelling, bruising, and deformity
• Feeling around your elbow joint for signs of tenderness
• Checking your range of motion (how well you can move your elbow)
• Checking your pulse to make sure there is good blood supply to your hands and fingers

You will need an X-ray to diagnose a fractured elbow. In some cases, your consultant may order further scans such as a CT scan, ultrasound, or an MRI. This allows your consultant to see your elbow joint in more detail and check for injuries to your surrounding tissues, like your muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

How is a diagnosis made?

Your consultant will make a diagnosis based on your history, symptoms, physical examination, and the results of your X-ray or other scans.

Why is this first consultation so important?

At Circle Health Group, your first appointment is important as it's where your consultant will ask you about your symptoms, perform a physical examination, order any necessary scans, provide a diagnosis, and discuss possible treatments.

Your first consultation is also where we get to know you, discuss your expectations for treatment, and encourage you to ask any questions you may have. It is important to us that you are as well-informed and comfortable as possible before, during, and after your treatment.

After making a diagnosis, your consultant will decide on the best treatment option for you based on your symptoms and diagnosis.

Treatment for elbow fractures depends on the type and severity of your fracture. Some elbow fractures can be treated without surgery, but if your fracture is severe you will need an operation.

Closed reduction

If your fracture is displaced, your consultant may try and manipulate your bones back into position using a technique called a closed reduction.

This procedure is carried out under sedation or anaesthetic.

After the procedure, you will have an X-ray to check the position of your bone. If the closed reduction is successful, your arm will be immobilised in a sling while your fracture heals. If your closed reduction doesn't work, you will need surgery to move your bones back into the correct position.

Immobilisation

Simple, non-displaced fractures are usually treated by immobilising your arm in a sling, cast, or splint. This keeps your elbow still while your fracture heals. It normally takes between six and twelve weeks for your fracture to heal, though it will probably be longer before your arm is back to normal.

Elevation

Elevating your fractured elbow on a pillow can help to reduce swelling.

Medication

Your consultant may prescribe painkillers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and reduce inflammation in your elbow.

Physiotherapy

Elbow fractures can result in long-term problems like stiffness, weakness and difficulty moving your arm. Early physiotherapy can help prevent these issues. Our physiotherapists will show you a range of exercises to help you regain strength, range of motion, and function of your arm.

Surgical treatment

If your elbow fracture is severe, you may need an operation to put the bones back into their correct position and fix them in place with plates, pins, and screws. This type of surgery is called an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF).

You may need surgery if:

• Your bones are not in the correct position (displaced fracture)
• Your broken bone has pierced your skin (open fracture)
• Your bone is broken into several pieces (comminuted fracture)

An ORIF is normally performed under general anaesthetic, meaning you'll be asleep for the procedure. Sometimes you may be given an anaesthetic to numb the area and medication to relax you. Either way, you will not feel any pain during your surgery.

Recovery from an elbow fracture is different for everyone and depends on several factors, including the type of fracture, how your fracture was treated, your age, and general health.

Whether or not you had surgery, your arm will be immobilised in a splint, cast, or sling for between three and six weeks after surgery. It`s normal to have some pain, stiffness, and limited movement even after your fracture has healed. Full recovery can take from a few months to around a year. Talk to your consultant about what you can expect during your recovery.

Your consultant will arrange a follow-up appointment to check your progress and make sure your fracture is healing properly.

At Circle Health Group, our expert consultants and physiotherapists deliver individualised care and guidance throughout your treatment and recovery. Getting the right treatment for your elbow fracture early can help speed your recovery and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

Some elbow fractures can't be prevented, but there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk including:

• Take regular exercise to keep your bones and joints strong and healthy
• Wear the correct protective equipment when taking part in sports
• Learn correct techniques during sports to reduce the risk of injury
• Take measures to reduce your risk of falls

Some long-term complications of elbow fractures include:

• Stiffness and reduced movement - early physiotherapy can help to prevent this
• Arthritis in your elbow joint
• Non-union or malunion - the bones in your elbow may not fuse together or fuse incorrectly

With early specialist care and the right treatment, the long-term outlook for recovery from elbow fractures is good. Most people are able to resume normal activities after around four months and are back to normal within a year.

We answer some of your most commonly asked questions about elbow fractures

What does a fractured elbow look like?

In some cases, a fractured elbow may not show any signs of injury on the outside, but often there will be swelling and bruising. Your elbow might also appear to be an abnormal shape.

Why can't I straighten my arm after an elbow fracture?

Stiffening of the joint is a common problem after an elbow fracture has healed. This can usually be prevented by having physiotherapy as early as possible after your fracture. In some cases, elbow stiffness can be helped by physiotherapy and exercises after the fracture has healed. If you are having difficulty straightening your elbow after a fracture, see a specialist orthopaedic consultant for advice.

How can you tell if your elbow is fractured?

The only way to know for sure if your elbow is fractured is to have an X-ray. Signs of an elbow fracture include pain, swelling, bruising and inability to move your elbow. If you have injured your elbow and have any of these symptoms, seek medical attention.

How long does a fractured elbow take to heal?

How long a fractured elbow takes to heal depends on the type of fracture, what treatment you had, and your general health. Most fractures heal in around six to twelve weeks, but you may continue to have some pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving your elbow for up to a year.

How can you tell if your elbow is bruised or fractured?

A bruised elbow or elbow contusion is an injury to the soft tissue around the elbow. Symptoms of a bruised elbow include purple, red, or brown discoloration of the skin, swelling, pain and tenderness. If you are unable to bend or straighten your elbow or experience severe pain in your elbow, you may have an elbow fracture. If you are not sure whether you have bruised or fractured your elbow, see a doctor. They will be able to tell if you have a fracture by examining your elbow and requesting an X-ray if necessary.

At Circle Health Group we have the experience and expertise to ensure the best possible care and outcome for our patients. As a patient with Circle Health Group you can expect the highest standards of care including:

• Flexible appointment times and locations that are convenient for you
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant best suit your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Private ensuite rooms as standard
• A range of delicious healthy meals
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about treatment for elbow fractures, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0141 300 5009.

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in January 2023. Next review due January 2026.

1. Elbow Fractures, Cleveland Clinic
2. Olecranon Fracture (Elbow Fracture) , John Hopkins Medicine
3. Elbow (radial head or neck) fracture, NHS Inform
4. Elbow (Olecranon) Fractures, OrthoInfo