Elbow Fracture

🦴 Elbow Fracture
🔹 Types
1. Distal Humerus Fracture – break at the end of upper arm bone.
2. Olecranon Fracture – fracture of the bony tip of the ulna (felt at the back of elbow).
3. Radial Head/Neck Fracture – common when falling on an outstretched hand.
4. Terrible Triad Injury – elbow dislocation + radial head fracture + coronoid process fracture.

🔹 Causes
. Fall on an outstretched hand (FOOSH) 🤲
. Direct trauma to the elbow
. Sports injuries
. Road traffic accidents 🚗

🔹 Symptoms
. Severe pain & swelling around the elbow
. Inability to move elbow normally
. Deformity in severe cases
. Bruising & tenderness
. Numbness/tingling if nerve is injured

🔹 Diagnosis
. X-rays → AP & lateral views
. CT scan → for complex/committed fractures
. MRI → if ligament/soft tissue injury suspected

🔹 Treatment
1. Non-Surgical (Conservative)
.For non-displaced fractures or stable breaks
.Splint or cast immobilization for 3–6 weeks
. Pain medication & ice application
. Start gentle physiotherapy once healing begins

2. Surgical
Indications:
. Displaced fractures
. Open fractures (bone piercing skin)
. Associated joint instability
Procedures:
. ORIF (Open Reduction & Internal Fixation) → plates, screws, or wires
. Radial head replacement (for severely shattered radial head)
. External fixation (rare, in severe trauma with soft tissue injury)

🔹 Complications
. Stiffness & loss of motion (most common)
. Arthritis in the elbow joint
. Nerve injury (especially ulnar nerve)
. Non-union or malunion of bone
. Chronic pain or weakness

🔹 Recovery
. Bone healing: 6–8 weeks (children heal faster than adults)
. Full recovery of motion & strength: 3–6 months
. Physiotherapy is essential to regain elbow flexibility and prevent stiffness