Elbow fracture – causes, symptoms & therapy

If an olecranon fracture occurs, there is a break in the olecranon. Here the elbow breaks at the end of the ulna. The elbow joint is at the end of the ulna.

This joint consists of the radius and ulna – the forearm bones. This is also the lower part of the humerus. The triceps muscle is responsible for the force that is used by humans in the arm extension muscles.

causes

The causes of an elbow fracture are different. However, the direct trauma to the fracture is primarily responsible. This means that a sideways or backwards fall – ending right at the elbow or on an outstretched arm – may well result in an elbow fracture.This is because the elbow joint is the weakest point, yet absorbs the intense force of the fall. Thus, the force at impact – combined with the weak joint – can mechanically cause the elbow to fracture. However, a fall does not always have to be the trigger. An intense hit with a hard object also causes a fracture.

Spontaneous fractures are also possible. However, spontaneous fractures or pathological fractures of the elbow are very rare and hardly possible. Another possibility is increased stress, which sometimes triggers a fracture. The fracture occurs when the “joint is tired”. Above all, patients suffering from brittle bone disease (osteogenesis imperfecta), osteoporosis or bone tumors with metastases are affected by ” fatigue fractures “.

When to the doctor?

If you have elbow pain that occurs after a fall or accident, you should see a doctor. A doctor must be consulted if there are limitations in mobility or the impossibility of being able to move the arm without symptoms. Swelling of the joint or an optical change in the elbow due to displacement of the bones must be examined and treated by a doctor.

If pain occurs, you should consult a doctor. Pain medication should not be taken without consulting a doctor, as side effects and risks can occur. These must be discussed, since in severe cases there is a risk of a heart attack or dependence on the medication. If the person concerned cannot put weight on the arm as usual, a doctor’s visit is necessary. If the symptoms increase in scope and intensity, a doctor must clarify the symptoms.

If other impairments such as circulatory problems occur, a doctor should be consulted. The elbow fracture may cause weakness or dizziness . The person concerned therefore needs medical care before the state of health deteriorates further. A doctor’s visit is also necessary in the event of bleeding or open wounds. If skin damage occurs as a result of the elbow fracture, germs can get into the organism, which often trigger other diseases. The risk of blood poisoning increases dangerously in the absence of treatment.

diagnosis and course

The typical symptoms of an elbow fracture are severe pain in the arm and bone pain. The patient can no longer straighten the elbow. Furthermore, a bruise occurs; the elbow swells greatly. Bruises appear at the fracture site. The symptoms appear after the rupture. The severe pain and inability to move the elbow indicate a fracture. The arm also becomes discolored and swollen. The patient can no longer move or stretch the elbow independently.

In various cases it is possible for the patient to feel broken pieces of bone in the elbow. This occurs when the bone is chipped or broken off and is being moved by the triceps tendon. If the patient notices bruising on the elbow after a trauma – such as a fall – and feels severe pain, the doctor must be consulted. Likewise, if the patient experiences restricted mobility. When making the diagnosis, the doctor must ensure that the fracture has not injured tendons, nerves or muscles.

The doctor makes the diagnosis using the x- ray machine . Here, the doctor recognizes the fracture site or whether it is a displaced fracture. When making the diagnosis, however, the doctor must pay attention to whether there are muscle injuries, tendon injuries or nerve injuries and, if necessary, treat them together with the fracture.

treatment and therapy

Rapid medical treatment is important for an elbow fracture. The decision as to how quickly the doctor is consulted and thus the treatment begins is sometimes also responsible for the further success of the treatment. If the patient takes his time before seeing the doctor, it will become more difficult for the doctor to operate on the elbow over time.

Long-term effects cannot be ruled out if the doctor does not start treatment relatively quickly. Ultimately, a broken elbow is not an extremely complicated fracture that has long-term effects or complications. However, after operations, patients complain about reduced resilience and less stress in sports. Golfers, tennis players and rowers in particular repeatedly complain about significant and noticeable limitations after elbow operations.Comminuted fractures or multiple broken elbows cause irregularities in the joint. This means that the patient sometimes suffers years later from greater joint wear and tear and thus premature restricted mobility of the elbow.

However, there is also the possibility of conservative therapy. With this therapy option, the elbow is stably splinted or put in plaster. But only if the two fragments are no more than two millimeters apart. A displaced fracture or a larger difference in the fragments as well as multiple fragments cannot be treated with conservative therapy. Only surgical treatment is possible here.

prevention

Prevention is usually not possible. Falls happen randomly and are unpredictable. In principle, it is advisable to be particularly careful on black ice or snow-covered paths. Above all, if the patient falls, he should make sure that he does not land with his outstretched arm. People with an increased risk of brittle bones (brittle bones, osteoporosis) should also prevent or avoid the risk of falling.