Version July 2025
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What is an elbow fracture? —
This is when 1 of the bones near the elbow breaks. A "fracture" is another word for a broken bone.
The elbow is a joint made up of 3 bones (figure 1):
●Humerus – This is the bone that runs from the shoulder to the elbow.
●Radius – This is 1 of the bones in the forearm, the part of the arm between the elbow and the wrist. It is on the thumb side of the forearm when the palm is facing up.
●Ulna – This is the other bone in the forearm. It is on the "pinky side" of the forearm when the palm is facing up.
An elbow fracture can happen because of a direct blow to the elbow, or falling on the elbow or on an outstretched arm.
When a bone breaks, it might crack, break all the way through, or shatter.
There are different types of fractures, depending on which bone breaks and how. Examples include:
●"Open" fracture – This is when the bone sticks out of the skin or can be seen through a wound.
●"Closed" fracture – This is when the bone does not stick out of the skin and cannot be seen through a wound.
●"Avulsion" fracture – This is when a person moves a joint forcefully, and a ligament or tendon stretches or tears. It can pull so hard on the bone a small part of the bone cracks or breaks off.
●"Growth plate" fracture – This type of fracture can happen in children. It is when the growing part of the bone near the end breaks, often where a muscle attaches to it.
What are the symptoms of an elbow fracture? —
Symptoms depend on which bone breaks and the type of break. Common symptoms can include:
●Pain, swelling, or bruising over the area
●The area looking abnormal, bent, or not the usual shape
●Not being able to move or put weight on that part of the body
●Numbness in the area of the broken bone
If a fracture injures a nerve, this can also cause symptoms in nearby areas. For example, a break to the upper arm bone (humerus) near the elbow might cause pain, tingling, or weakness in the forearm, wrist, hand, and fingers.
Is there a test for an elbow fracture? —
Yes. The doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms, do an exam, and take an X-ray. If you have a complicated elbow fracture, they might also do other imaging tests, such as a CT, MRI, or ultrasound. These create pictures of the inside of the body.
During the exam, the doctor or nurse will look at and feel your injured elbow and check the pulse in your wrist. They will also ask you to do some simple finger movements, such as pinching something, spreading your fingers, or giving a "thumbs up." This can show if the fracture caused any nerve damage.
How are elbow fractures treated? —
Treatment depends, in part, on the type of fracture and how serious it is. The goal is to have the ends of the broken bone line up with each other so the bone can heal.
If the ends of the broken bone are already in line with each other, the doctor will put on a cast, splint, or brace. This keeps the bone in the correct position so it can heal.
If the ends of the broken bone are not in line with each other, the doctor will need to line them up:
●Sometimes, they can move the bone to the correct position without doing surgery, and then put a cast, splint, or brace on. This is called "closed fracture reduction."
●For more serious fractures, they might need to do surgery to put the bone back in the correct position. During surgery, they can use screws, pins, rods, or plates to fix the bone inside the body. This is called "open fracture reduction."
After the fracture is treated, you will need to see a bone specialist called an "orthopedic surgeon" regularly until your elbow fully heals. During these visits, the orthopedic surgeon will decide how long you should wear a cast or splint. They will also take X-rays to make sure the bones are lined up correctly and healing well.
How do I care for myself at home? —
To care for yourself or your child at home:
●Follow the doctor's instructions for wearing the cast, splint, or brace. This supports and protects the bone as it heals. Some fractures are put in a cast right away. Others are not put in a cast until after the swelling goes down. You might also get a sling to support your arm.
●Do not get a cast wet, unless the doctor says it is waterproof.
●Follow instructions for limiting activity and movement until the bone is healed. The doctor or nurse will tell you what activities are safe to do.
●Gently move your fingers and wrist throughout the day to keep them from getting stiff.
●Prop your injured arm on pillows, keeping it above the level of your heart. This might help lessen pain and swelling. This is especially important for the first few days after an injury.
●The doctor might recommend you take an over-the-counter pain medicine. These include acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).
●You might get a prescription for stronger pain medicines to take for a short time. Follow the instructions for taking these.
●Ice can help with pain and swelling – Put a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on the injured area every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and the cast, splint, or brace. Ice for at least 1 to 2 days after an injury. It might help to ice longer, even up to 3 to 5 days.
●Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of calcium, vitamin D, and protein (figure 2).
●Quit smoking, if you smoke. Your doctor or nurse can help. Broken bones take longer to heal if you smoke.
●You might need to work with a physical therapist (exercise expert) after your fracture heals. They will suggest exercises and stretches to strengthen your elbow and arm muscles and keep them from getting stiff.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●You have less feeling or movement in your fingers.
●You have pain when stretching out your fingers, or more pain in your forearm.
●Your elbow or arm gets swollen or starts to hurt more.
●Your skin gets red or irritated around the cast, or redness spreads up your arm.
●The cast or splint feels too tight and uncomfortable, or your fingers turn pale, blue, or gray.
●A bad smell or drainage is coming from the cast or splint.
●The cast feels too loose, or gets cracked or soft.
●The cast gets wet, and it is not supposed to get wet.
If any of the above symptoms seem severe, or if you are concerned but cannot reach the doctor or nurse, seek emergency help. These things don't always mean there is a serious problem, but seeing a doctor or nurse is the only way to know for sure.
Patient education: Fractures in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Fractures in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Setting a broken bone in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Setting a broken bone in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Surgery to fix a broken bone (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for your cast (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for your child's cast (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for a splint (The Basics)
