Next Steps

Follow-up

It is extremely important to follow your doctor's medical advice exactly if you have a broken elbow. Once injured, the elbow is not a "forgiving" joint as it heals. To get the best possible result after you've broken your elbow, pay attention to the advice your doctor gives you. Keep all follow-up appointments with your doctor.

Following are some of the common things you may be told after your first visit for your broken elbow:

• Use medications to reduce pain and swelling.
  
  
• Elevate your arm to reduce pain and swelling.
  
  
• Leave your splint or cast in place. Take care of your cast or splint.
  
  
• Take antibiotics to treat infection, if prescribed, or to reduce the chance of getting an infection.
  
  
• Return to the emergency department immediately if you notice any of the following:
  
  
  • Your hand is cold.
    
    
  • Your hand is pale or blue.
    
    
  • Your hand is numb, tingling, or "dead" feeling.
    
    
  • Your forearm hurts if you move your wrist, hand, or fingers.