Broken Elbow

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Medical Author:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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Medical Editor:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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• Broken Elbow Overview
• Broken Elbow Causes
• Broken Elbow Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care for a Broken Elbow
• Broken Elbow Diagnosis
• Broken Elbow Treatment
• Broken Elbow Self-Care at Home
• Broken Elbow Medical Treatment
• Broken Elbow Medications
• Broken Elbow Surgery
• Broken Elbow Other Therapy
• Broken Elbow Follow-up
• Broken Elbow Prevention
• Broken Elbow Prognosis
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Author and Editors
• Read more on Broken Elbow from Healthwise
• Viewer Comments: Broken Elbow - Causes

Broken Elbow Overview

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

The elbow is a complex joint formed by 3 bones:

• The humerus is a single bone in the upper arm that runs from the shoulder to the elbow.
• The radius and ulna, bones of the forearm run from the elbow to the wrist.
• Ligaments, muscles, and tendons maintain the elbow's stability and allow joint movement.

A normal elbow joint allows these motions:

• Flexion or bending
• Extension or straightening
• Rotation, turning the palm up and down

Serious injuries, such as fractures (a bone break) and dislocations, can damage the bones and other structures of the 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 plates," a part of the bone where bone growth takes place. Bone growth continues throughout childhood; if one of these "growth plates" is involved in a fracture, it can affect bone development.

A fractured elbow is a break that involves one or more of the three arm bones where they work together to form the elbow joint.

Broken Elbow Causes

People can injure an elbow in a variety of ways, from overuse (athletic injuries) to an acute traumatic event (a fall or direct blow). Some common events that result in elbow fractures:

• Falling backward, for example, off a skateboard, the person may attempt to brace the fall with an arm outstretched and open hand.
• High-energy trauma can occur in an automobile or motorcycle collision.
• A direct blow on the elbow can cause a break, such as when a person falls off a bicycle and lands directly on an elbow.
• Sideswipe injury occurs when an elbow is struck while a person are resting an elbow out an open car window.
• Any other direct injury to the elbow, wrist, hand, or shoulder can fracture the elbow.