The condition of broken elbow can be painful and may also give rise to severe complications, if left untreated for long. Know about it in the following article.
Elbow injuries are common in kids, as well as adults. The injury may involve the ulna, radius, or humerus. While ulna and radius run from the elbow to the wrist, humerus runs from the shoulder to the elbow. In some cases, absence of treatment could give rise to severe complications such as infection of the bones, frozen shoulder, injury to the nerves and blood vessels near the injured area, etc.
Causes and Associated Symptoms
The bones might develop cracks or fracture if one receives a direct blow to the elbow. Falls wherein one lands directly on the elbow could also be a contributing factor for a broken elbow. Most people have had experienced such a condition in traumatic events like car or motorbike accidents.
Swelling is usually one of the visible symptoms of such an injury. It might also be accompanied by redness or a throbbing pain in the affected part. The range of motion of the hand might also be affected. Other signs which might surface include numbness and stiffness in the arm.
Treatment
The nature of the treatment depends upon the severity of the symptoms. For instance, in some cases, when the bone breaks, it pierces the skin. Such a condition requires immediate medical attention. Surgery is definitely required in case of injuries, wherein the bone breaks into several pieces. Drug therapy is also an integral part of the treatment.
Doctors might recommend the use of an OTC painkiller, muscle relaxant, sedative, or even a general anesthetic, depending on the extent of joint pain and swelling. If the pain is excruciating, then prescription-strength medicines are recommended. Some patients might be required to go for rehabilitation therapy, after with the initial treatment. This helps increase the range of motion of the elbow.
If medical treatment is not sought immediately, there’s an increased risk of complications. However, there are a few self-care measures that one can follow, as soon as the injury occurs:
- If you have incurred an injury and are experiencing the aforementioned symptoms, cover the area with a clean bandage.
- If the injured area is bleeding, raise the arm and apply pressure on the area.
- To reduce pain and the swelling, you can apply an ice pack on the injured area.
- Never attempt to try any tricks to straighten a broken bone. Only a professional is trained to perform such procedures.
- If the affected person needs to be transported to the hospital, then you must ensure that the injured area is immobilized as far as possible.
The importance of timely diagnosis and treatment cannot be stressed enough, when it comes to fractures. So, seek medical help as soon as possible, and follow the guidelines given by the doctor to ensure a speedy recovery.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.
