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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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When to Seek Medical Care for a Broken Elbow

An elbow fracture carries the risk of potentially serious and disabling complications. If a person thinks the elbow may be fractured, seek medical attention at a hospital's emergency department immediately.

If a person has only mild swelling, and no bruising, open wounds, or loss of feeling; they may consider calling a doctor prior to seeking emergency medical attention.

If an elbow shows any of the following problems after an injury to the arm, go to an emergency department if:

• Swelling occurs at or near the elbow
• Any deformity of the elbow or the areas near the elbow.
• The injured elbow has a new lump or bump, go to the emergency department. Compare the injured elbow to the uninjured one.
• Grinding, popping, or clicking is heard or felt during elbow, wrist, or hand movement
• The elbow "catches" at the joint. Normal elbow motion becomes limited.
• Discoloration of the elbow or areas near the elbow occurs. A bluish, purplish, or blackish color may indicate bleeding into, or near, the elbow. A reddish color may be a sign of infection.
• Any numbness or tingling is noticed in any part of the arm, for instance, a "funny bone" feeling that doesn't go away
• The forearm, wrist, or fingers feels "dead" and difficult or impossible to move normally.
• Significant pain in the elbow, forearm, wrist, or hand.
• The wrist, forearm or hand becomes pale, cool, or bluish color that may indicate a blockage of blood flow in the injured elbow.
• Bleeding around the elbow area.
• A person cannot easily perform the following motions without pain:
  • Fully straighten the elbow
  • Fully bend the elbow so that the fingertips touch the shoulder