Elbow Fracture Radius - Treatment, Symptoms and Causes of Elbow Fracture Radius

Elbow Fracture Radius is a complete or incomplete break in the head of the radius, one of the bones of the forearm.

Places where Elbow Fracture Radius occurs

Head of the radius. Elbow joint. Soft tissue surrounding the fracture site, including nerves, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, cartilage and muscles.

Causes, Signs and Symptoms of Elbow Fracture Radius

Direct blow or indirect stress to the elbow. Indirect injury due to falling on an outstretched hand with the elbow stiff, or any injury that causes dislocation of the elbow.

• Visible deformity if the fracture is complete and the bone fragments separate enough to distort normal arm contours.
• Tenderness to the touch.
• Severe pain at the fracture site.
• Swelling of soft tissue around the fracture.
• Numbness and coldness in the hand and lower arm if the blood supply is impaired.

Complications in Elbow Fracture Radius

Arrest of normal bone growth in children. Infection in open fractures (skin broken over fracture site), or at the incision if surgical setting was necessary. Shock. Pressure on or injury to nearby nerves, ligaments, tendons, muscles, blood vessels, cartilage or connective tissues. Delayed union or non-union of the fracture. Impaired blood supply to the fracture site. Avascular necrosis (death of bone cells) due to interruption of the blood supply. Shortening of the injured bones. Proneness to repeated elbow injury. Unstable or arthritic elbow following repeated injury. Prolonged healing time if activity is resumed too soon.

Treatment, Medication and Care for Elbow Fracture Radius

For First aid, use instructions for R.I.C.E., the first letters of REST, ICE, COMPRESSION and ELEVATION. The doctor will realign and set the broken bones and repair damaged soft tissue with surgery. Surgery is necessary for this injury to ensure normal rotation of the forearm after healing is complete. Manipulation should be done as soon as possible after injury. Six or more hours after the fracture, bleeding and displacement of body fluids may lead to shock. Also, many tissues lose their elasticity and become difficult to return to a normal position. Keep the person warm with blankets to decrease the possibility of shock. Cut away clothing, if possible, but don't move the injured elbow to do so.

General anesthesia, local anesthesia or muscle relaxants to make bone manipulation and fixation of bone fragments possible. Narcotic or synthetic narcotic pain relievers for severe pain. Stool softeners to prevent constipation due to inactivity. Acetaminophen for mild pain.

• After the cast or splints are removed, use frequent ice massage. Fill a large Styrofoam cup with water and freeze. Tear a small amount of foam from the top so ice protrudes. Massage firmly over the injured area in a circle about the size of a baseball. Do this for 15 minutes at a time, 3 or 4 times a day.
• Apply heat instead of ice, if it feels better. Use heat lamps, hot soaks, hot showers, heating pads, or heat liniments and ointments.
• Immobilization will be necessary, usually with plaster splints around the injured area to immobilize the elbow and wrist.
• After 48 hours, localized heat promotes healing by increasing blood circulation in the injured area. Use a heat lamp or a heating pad for 30 minutes at a time so heat can penetrate the cast or splints.
• Take whirlpool treatments, if available.

Dietary Cure for Elbow Fracture Radius

Drink only water before manipulation or surgery to correct the dislocation. Solid food in your stomach makes vomiting under general anesthesia more hazardous. During recovery, eat a well-balanced diet that includes extra protein, such as meat, fish, poultry, cheese, milk and eggs. Increase fiber and fluid intake to prevent constipation that may result from decreased activity.

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