The elbow is made up of a group of bones that connect the humerus (upper arm) to the ulna and the radius (the forearm bones). The olecranon or “tip of the elbow” is part of the ulna. If a fracture occurs in any of these bones, it can cause extreme pain and greatly impair your ability to move your arm. Elbow fractures occur from a direct blow to the elbow from a fall, accident or sports injury.
Meet the team of experts who specialize in elbow fracture treatment
Types of Elbow Fractures
Types of elbow fractures include:
- Distal humerus fracture: The distal humerus is the bone that connects the elbow to the shoulder joint. It meets the radius and ulna to make up the upper part of the elbow joint. These types of elbow fractures are uncommon.
- Olecranon fracture: The olecranon is the bony tip of the elbow and part of the ulna. You can see the olecranon when you bend your arm. Olecranon fracture is one of the most common elbow fractures, because the bone is not protected by soft tissue such as tendons, muscles or ligaments. If you experience a fall or direct blow to the olecranon it can easily fracture.
- Radial head and neck fractures: Radial fractures can easily occur with elbow dislocation (when the joints in the elbow separate and come out of socket). They are also common when you use your hands to break a fall.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, see a Penn orthopaedic specialist to determine if you have fractured your elbow:
- Bruising that extends up the arm
- Elbow deformity
- Elbow instability
- Elbow pain when moving the arm and elbow
- Numbness in the elbow area and in one or more fingers
- Swelling over the olecranon or tip of the elbow
- Tenderness, redness and warmth around the elbow
Diagnosing Elbow Fractures
To diagnose an elbow fracture, a Penn orthopaedic specialist/surgeon will examine your elbow and discuss your recent injury. They will order advanced imaging tests to see where the fracture has occurred and how severe the break is. Our musculoskeletal radiologists are experts in reading and interpreting scans from highly specialized diagnostic tests and tools that lead to an accurate diagnosis and the best possible treatment plan.
These diagnostic imaging tests include:
- CT scan
- Musculoskeletal ultrasound
- MRI
- X-ray
Treatment Options for Elbow Fractures
Elbow fractures can be non-displaced (when the bones have not moved out of the correct position) or displaced (when the bones are seriously fractured and fragments may have separated causing the bones to move out of place).
Treatment depends on the type of elbow fracture you have and the severity of your condition. For non-displaced elbow fractures, non-surgical options effectively treat the fracture. Displaced elbow fractures usually require surgery to repair the fracture and reconstruction of ligaments and tendons, if necessary.
Nonsurgical Treatment for Elbow Fractures
Most elbow fractures, if they are non-displaced, can be treated with conservative techniques such as:
- Elevation of the elbow to help decrease swelling
- Icing
- Immobilization with an arm sling or wrap while bones heal
- Pain or anti-inflammatory medication
- Physical therapy and range of motion exercises under the supervision of a physical therapist
Elbow Fracture Surgery
Our orthopaedic surgeons are highly skilled in performing all types of complex elbow fracture surgeries, including non-union fractures (bones that have not healed properly) and other severe bone breaks. Minor fractures do not always require surgery, but if you suffer a displaced or non-union fracture, your surgeon will likely perform surgery to repair it. We have expertise in treating elbow fractures that require multiple surgical procedures at the same time, including bone-grafting and reconstruction and/or transfer of ligaments and tendons.
Our orthopaedic surgeons tailor surgery and treatment to suit your needs. In most cases, you can decide if you prefer outpatient surgery (when you go home on the same day) or an overnight stay in the hospital.
Types of elbow fracture surgeries we perform include:
Open Reduction and Internal Fixation Surgery
If the bones in the elbow are displaced or if there is a compound fracture, surgery is necessary. An open reduction and internal fixation surgical procedure puts the bones back into place.
Our orthopaedic surgeons use certain specialized hardware including screws, plates or pins. This special hardware is used to hold the bones in place to ensure they heal correctly. In some cases, we perform bone grafting as well as microsurgical techniques to repair soft tissues such as ligaments and tendons.
Total Elbow Replacement Surgery
We are highly experienced in performing total elbow replacement to treat severe damage caused by an elbow fracture. During a total elbow replacement, the damaged bone and soft tissue are removed, and all parts of the elbow are replaced with artificial parts. This type of surgery uses either a “linked” or “unlinked” technique.
The linked method places artificial stems inside the humerus and the ulna and connects them with a hinge to reconstruct the anatomy of the elbow.
Total elbow replacement allows for restored mobility and eliminates or greatly reduces pain for those who have suffered severe elbow fractures that are difficult to repair.
Non-union Elbow Fracture Surgery
A non-union elbow fracture is a broken bone in the elbow that did not heal properly. Treatment may require surgery to remove an infection if present and to better stabilize the fracture. A bone graft may be required to stimulate bone growth. Our surgeons perform complex non-union surgical repair with vascularized bone grafting. Vascularized bone grafts transplant living bone tissue to replace damaged bone tissue. We are experts in this highly specialized procedure and one of a few medical centers in the nation that perform vascularized bone grafting.
Elbow Fracture Surgery Recovery
After surgery you will need plenty of rest and to keep your elbow and arm immobilized in a splint. You should keep the elbow elevated if possible and ice the area to help decrease swelling. Non-prescription medications can be used to help alleviate pain. We offer an advanced pain management program that effectively treats pain with less dependence on narcotics. Decreasing pain makes recovery easier. As you heal, you will work with a physical therapist who will recommend exercises to restore mobility and function.
Recovering from elbow fracture surgery is different for everyone and can take up to several months. Speak with your doctor about what your recovery will involve.
Personalized Elbow Fracture Rehabilitation Programs
Penn physical therapists, orthopaedic specialists and pain management specialists work closely to provide personalized recovery plans that ensure the best possible outcome. Your recovery will depend on a variety of factors including the severity of your elbow fracture and the type of surgery you had. Our rehabilitation programs take into account your lifestyle, unique needs and personal goals for recovery. Your treatment does not end with surgery. We continue to work with you for as long as needed to restore function and eliminate or greatly reduce your pain.