Medications

• A wide variety of pain relievers are available.
  
  
  • Oral medications are usually used for mild pain.
    
    
  • Injections, either into a muscle or into a vein (by IV), are used for moderate to severe pain.
    
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• Medication can be put directly into the elbow joint to relieve pain or can be given by injection or IV.
  
  
  • If your elbow is dislocated or broken and needs to be reset, medications also can be used to help this process.
    
    
  • These medications relieve pain extremely well and although they may cause sedation (sleepiness), they allow muscles to relax and help a great deal while the doctor works on the elbow.
    
    
  • After receiving these medications and having their elbow reset, many people awaken to find their elbow has been repaired and splinted.