Broken Elbow

• Broken Elbow Overview
• Broken Elbow Causes
• Broken Elbow Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Broken Elbow Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Medications
• Surgery
• Other Therapy
• Next Steps
• Follow-up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors

Broken Elbow Overview

Elbow injuries are common in both adults and children. Early recognition and treatment of an elbow injury can reduce the risk of complications and later disability. Any serious injury of the elbow deserves medical attention.

• Your elbow is a complex joint formed by 3 bones:
  
  
  • The humerus is a single bone in your upper arm that runs from your shoulder to your elbow.
    
    
  • The radius and ulna, bones of your forearm, run from the elbow to the wrist.
    
    
  • Ligaments, muscles, and tendons maintain your elbow's stability and allow joint movement.
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• A normal elbow joint allows these motions:
  
  
  • Flexion, or bending
    
    
  • Extension, or straightening
    
    
  • Rotation, turning your palm up and down
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• Serious injuries, such as fractures (a bone break) and dislocations, can damage the bones and other structures of your elbow, resulting in problems with movement, blood vessel function, and nerve function. In children, fractures can affect the growth and development of the bones. This is because children have many bone "growth centers," a part of the bone where bone growth takes place. As bone growth continues throughout childhood, if one of these "growth centers" is involved in a fracture, it can affect bone development.
  
  
• An elbow fracture is a break that involves 1 or more of the 3 arm bones where they work together to form the elbow joint.