Causes, symptoms and treatment methods

The elbow is the meeting place of three bones: the humerus, the ulna, and the radius. Elbow fractures are more common among children. What are their causes, symptoms, and treatment methods?

Causes of elbow fractures

Causes of elbow fractures include:

     Falling on an outstretched hand or outstretched elbow is the most common cause.

     Sports injuries.

     Severe trauma.

     Mishandling of children, such as pulling the child’s arm violently.

The types of elbow fractures are divided into the following:

     Fracture of the ulna.

     Fracture of the radius bone.

     Fracture of the humerus.

Symptoms of elbow fractures

Symptoms of elbow fractures include:

     Feeling severe pain that increases when moving the joint.

     Swelling.

     Bruises.

     Skin protrusion of the broken bone.

     Inability to move the joint.

     Feeling numbness and weakness in the arm.

Diagnosis of elbow fractures

Diagnosis of elbow fractures requires radiological imaging of the elbow using X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to determine the location and type of the fracture, and then determine the appropriate treatment method.

Methods of treating elbow fractures

There are many types of fractures, such as closed fractures, open fractures, displaced fractures, comminuted fractures, split fractures, and bent fractures. Depending on the type of fracture, the treatment method is determined. In general, there are two types of treatments:

     Non-surgical treatment

It is used to treat stable fractures that do not require displacement of the bone. It is done by plastering the fracture to ensure that the broken bones do not move so that they heal properly.

     Surgical treatment

Doctors resort to surgery in cases of unstable fractures, especially open fractures, where the broken bones penetrate the skin, in order to prevent infection and restore the bones to their normal state and stabilize them.

Elbow fractures are common among children, so it is recommended to handle the child’s arm gently and not pull it violently.