Fractures around the elbow

You cannot bend or straighten it. This is not an ordinary bruise that will improve after applying a cold compress. It is probably a more serious injury, possibly even a fracture around the elbow.

What is actually happening?

The elbow joint is not one simple ‘hinge’ but a complex joint formed by three bones—the humerus, ulna, and radius—that meet together. When one breaks, the entire mechanism fails: even a small fracture near the joint surface can block movement or cause severe pain. Most often, the head of the radius just beside the joint surface, the olecranon, or the lower end of the humerus just above the joint breaks.

Fractures most often occur after a fall onto an outstretched hand, less often after falling directly onto the elbow or a hard blow to its back. Important nerves and vessels run near the joint, so more serious fractures, especially of the lower humerus, can threaten them. Sometimes an elbow dislocation also accompanies the fracture, constituting the most serious injury.

How can you recognize it?

• severe pain and swelling immediately after the injury, increasing minute by minute,
• the elbow looks deformed or is held in an unusual position,
• you cannot bend or straighten the arm; pain blocks every attempt,
• you feel tingling or numbness in the fingers, which may mean that the fracture is pressing on a nearby nerve.

Why you should not wait

A fracture involving the joint, if it heals incorrectly, leaves an uneven joint surface. The bones stop gliding smoothly, which over time leads to restricted movement or even stiffness and accelerates cartilage wear.

The elbow is exceptionally prone to permanent stiffness after immobilization, so the longer a fracture remains unreduced, the harder it is to regain full range of motion. A properly reduced fracture and early mobilization offer a real chance of full recovery; neglect usually ends in permanent restriction of movement.

How we help

We begin with a consultation and X-ray, which shows where the fracture is and how the fragments are displaced. When the fracture extends through the joint surface or is broken into several fragments, we supplement the imaging with computed tomography, which accurately shows the position of each fragment in three dimensions and helps plan their alignment before surgery.

Fractures without displacement are usually treated conservatively: with brief immobilization and safe mobilization introduced as soon as possible to prevent joint stiffness.

Displaced fractures, especially those crossing the joint surface or accompanied by dislocation, often require surgery. We align the fragments anatomically, exactly as before the injury, and stabilize them with plates or screws that hold the position until the bone heals. This allows the joint surface to heal evenly without irregularities that would increase the risk of accelerated cartilage wear in the future.

There is one goal: an elbow that moves after the fracture has healed as it did before the injury.

Book a consultation

If you suspect a fracture around the elbow, especially with numb fingers, do not wait. Make an appointment for a consultation. We will determine which bone is broken and how severely, and tell you whether immobilization is enough or surgery is needed.