Elbow Injury

Is this your symptom?

  • Injury to the elbow
  • Injury to a bone, muscle, joint or ligament of the elbow
  • Excluded: muscle pain caused by overuse (too much exercise or heavy lifting) is covered in the Elbow Pain care guide.

Types of Elbow Injuries

  • Fractures. Fractures are broken bones. There are three bones involved in the elbow joint and each of them can break around the elbow. Elbow fractures are often very swollen. You will not be able to bend or straighten the elbow fully.
  • Dislocations. This happens when a bone is pulled out of its joint socket. Elbow dislocations are less common than shoulder dislocations. They cause concern since the blood flow to the forearm can be affected.
  • Sprains. Sprains are stretches and tears of ligaments.
  • Strains. Strains are stretches and tears of muscles.
  • Muscle Overuse. Muscle pain can occur without an injury. There is no fall or direct blow. Muscle overuse is from hard work or sports (such as a sore elbow).
  • Muscle bruise from a direct blow
  • Bone bruise from a direct blow
  • Skin Injury. Examples are a cut, scratch, scrape or bruise. All are common with arm injuries.

Pain Scale

  • Mild: you feel pain, but it does not keep you from your normal activities. Work, chores and sleep are not changed.
  • Moderate: the pain keeps you from doing some normal activities. It may wake you up from sleep.
  • Severe: the pain is very bad. It keeps you from doing all normal activities.

When to Call for Elbow Injury

When to Call for Elbow Injury

Call 911 Now

  • Major bleeding that can't be stopped
  • Bone or object is sticking through the skin
  • The elbow has been crushed
  • You think you have a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

  • Skin is cut and No past tetanus shots
  • Can't move the elbow normally
  • Severe swelling
  • Severe pain
  • You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

  • Very large bruise or swelling
  • Increasing redness, pain or swelling around a wound
  • Dirty cut or hard to clean and no tetanus shot for more than 5 years
  • Clean cut and no tetanus shot for more than 10 years
  • Pain not starting to get better after 3 days
  • You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

  • Pain lasts more than 2 weeks
  • Injury limits work, sports, or school
  • You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

  • Sore muscle or bruise from direct blow
  • Minor elbow injury

Call 911 Now

  • Major bleeding that can't be stopped
  • Bone or object is sticking through the skin
  • The elbow has been crushed
  • You think you have a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

  • Skin is cut and No past tetanus shots
  • Can't move the elbow normally
  • Severe swelling
  • Severe pain
  • You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

  • Very large bruise or swelling
  • Increasing redness, pain or swelling around a wound
  • Dirty cut or hard to clean and no tetanus shot for more than 5 years
  • Clean cut and no tetanus shot for more than 10 years
  • Pain not starting to get better after 3 days
  • You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

  • Pain lasts more than 2 weeks
  • Injury limits work, sports, or school
  • You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

  • Sore muscle or bruise from direct blow
  • Minor elbow injury

Care Advice for Minor Elbow Injuries

  1. What You Should Know About Minor Elbow Injuries:
    • During sports and activities, muscles and bones get bruised.
    • Muscles get stretched.
    • Here is some care advice that should help.
  2. Pain Medicine.
    • To help with the pain, take an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
    • Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil). Ibuprofen works better for this type of pain.
    • Use as needed, but do not take more than the maximum recommended dosage as stated on the package.
    • If you are not sure what to take, ask a pharmacist.
  3. Small Cut or Scrape Treatment
    • Use direct pressure to stop any bleeding. Do this for 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops.
    • Wash the wound with soap and water for 5 minutes. Try to rinse the cut under running water, maybe in the shower.
    • Gently scrub out any dirt with a washcloth.
    • Use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin). No prescription is needed. Then, cover with a bandage. Change daily.
  4. Cold Pack for Pain:
    • For pain or swelling, use a cold pack. You can also use ice wrapped in a wet cloth.
    • Put it on the sore muscles for 20 minutes.
    • Repeat 4 times on the first day, then as needed.
    • Reason: helps with the pain and helps stop any bleeding.
    • Caution: avoid frostbite by wrapping the ice pack. Do not put ice directly onto the skin.
  5. Remove Tight Clothing:
    • Remove any jewelry or tight clothing from the arm. They could become tight if the elbow swells.
  6. Use Heat Pack After 48 Hours:
    • If pain lasts more than 2 days, put heat on the sore muscle.
    • Use a heat pack, heating pad or warm wet washcloth.
    • Do this for 10 minutes, then as needed.
    • Reason: increase blood flow and improve healing
    • Caution: avoid burns by wrapping the heat pack. Do not put it directly on the skin.
  7. Rest the Elbow.
    • Rest the injured elbow as much as possible for 48 hours, but keep the fingers moving gently if you can.
    • Keep the arm and hand raised on a pillow or held across your chest to help limit swelling.
  8. What to Expect:
    • Pain and swelling usually peak on day 2 or 3.
    • Swelling should be gone in 7 days.
    • Pain may take 2 weeks to fully go away.
  9. Call Your Doctor If:
    • Pain becomes severe
    • Pain is not better after 3 days
    • Pain lasts more than 2 weeks
    • You think you need to be seen
    • Your symptoms get worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Copyright 2023 Schmitt Decision Logic LLC.

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