The elbow is unique in that moving or exercising simple, non-displaced fractures early, even while the bones are still healing, is safe and helpful to prevent stiffness.Īge is also an important factor when treating elbow fractures. When the bones are at a low risk of moving out of place or are in a stable condition, treatment calls for non-surgical measures such as a removable sling, brace, or an immobilizing castor. Whenever a fracture is open (skin broken over the fracture), urgent surgery is needed to clean out the wound and bone to minimize the risk of infection. Medication may be prescribed to reduce pain and swelling.įractures that are out of place or unstable are more likely to require surgery.
#ELBOW HUMERUS FRACTURE PROFESSIONAL#
Initial treatment for these fractures involves careful evaluation by a medical professional placement of a splint, brace, or sling and rest. These typically require surgery to put the hinge joint back in place and address all broken bones and injured ligaments. More complex olecranon injuries can result in dislocation, which is when all the ligaments around the elbow joint tear, separating the bones from their hinge.ĭislocations can also happen along with an olecranon and radial head fracture (triple triad). The bone fragments are re-aligned and held together with pins and wires or plates and screws. For these reasons, these fractures typically require surgery. Most of these fractures also involve the joint surface.
Fractures that occur around the olecranon usually are displaced due to the pull of the triceps tendon, which attaches to the tip of this bone. The olecranon is the portion of the ulna bone closest to the elbow. In these cases, plate and screw surgery may not be an option, and a total elbow replacement with a metal implant may be more appropriate. In elderly patients, the bone at the distal humerus may be brittle.
In children, many fractures can be treated with a cast, but some more severe fractures may need surgery, which involves repairing the fracture with temporary wires followed by casting. The growing areas of the elbow bones (growth plates) in a child are softer and can break with minor falls on a playground or off a trampoline. Special considerations should be made for fractures in children and the elderly. These injuries are very complex and typically require multiple plates to stabilize the broken bones. Distal humerus fractures often involve the joint and will require surgery, which involves repairing the fracture with plates and screws. This bone contains the entire joint surface of the elbow.
These fractures involve the portion of the humerus closest to the elbow joint. Complex fractures may also involve ligament injuries that need to be surgically repaired. Some more complicated fractures may require replacing the radial head with a metal implant if there are too many bony pieces. Complex fractures often require surgery with screws or a plate. Simple fractures can be treated with a brief period of immobilization with a splint or sling followed by moving the elbow to pain tolerance. The treatment for this fracture depends on the number and size of the bone fragments. The pain associated with these fractures is present on the outside (lateral) portion of the elbow and usually worse with forearm rotation. The radial head and neck, which are closest to the elbow, are important for rotation of the forearm (twisting from palm up to palm down). Radial head and neck fractures (see Figure 2) The main types of fractures are included below. In some severe cases, multiple bones may be broken at the same time. The location of the fractured bone is important to identify as this will determine the proper treatment and rehabilitation. The humerus starts at the shoulder, and the end (distal) part of it is in the elbow. The ulna also spans from the elbow to the wrist, but the head is in the wrist, and the cup-shaped part in the elbow is called the olecranon. The radius spans the length of the forearm from the wrist to the elbow, and the head and neck of the radius bone are inside the elbow joint. There are three main bones in the elbow (see Figure 1): the humerus, the radius, and the ulna.
0 kommentar(er)
