Broken Elbow

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Causes

Signs/Symptoms

Care

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• To reduce the swelling, keep the injury raised above the level of your heart as much as possible. When lying down, place the elbow on pillows.
• Apply ice to the injury for 15 to 20 minutes each hour for the first 1 to 2 days. Put the ice in a plastic bag and place a thin towel between the bag of ice and your splint or cast.
• If you have a plaster splint:
  • Wear the splint until your doctor says you can take it off or until your follow-up examination.
  • You may loosen the elastic around the splint if your fingers become numb or tingling.
• Do not put pressure on any part of a plaster splint or cast; it could break.
• Keep the cast or splint dry. It can be protected during bathing with a plastic bag. Do not lower it into water.
• A sling may be used to support the arm.
• If the doctor prescribes pain medicine that makes you drowsy, don't drive. You also may use over-the-counter medicines for pain. Take all medications exactly as directed.
• If you are given a tetanus shot, your arm may get swollen, red, and warm to the touch at the site of the shot. This is a normal response to the medicine.

Seek Care Immediately If...

• Your splint or cast gets damaged or breaks.
• You have continued severe pain, or more swelling than you did before treatment.
• The skin or fingernails below the injury turn blue or grey, or become cold or numb.
• There is a bad smell coming from your cast.