Elbow Fracture

Elbow Fracture Care Near You in New Jersey

The elbow is a complex joint. When it breaks, the ligaments, tendons, cartilage, nerves, and bone are all at risk. That complexity demands a specialist who can see the full picture and build a treatment plan tailored to your fracture.

At Interventional Spine & Surgery Group, our orthopedic team diagnoses and treats the full range of elbow conditions, including elbow fractures. We provide fast access to patient-centered care, helping you get the treatment you need quickly. Learn more about how we support you throughout your healing at any of our locations near you in New Jersey.

Key Takeaways

Elbow fractures commonly occur after falls or direct trauma.
Symptoms often include swelling, pain, bruising, and reduced mobility.
While some fractures can heal on their own without surgery, more complex ones often require surgical stabilization.
Recovery ranges from six weeks to several months, and physical therapy is often necessary.
Interventional Spine & Surgery Group provides expert, multidisciplinary elbow fracture care at multiple locations near you in New Jersey.

What Is an Elbow Fracture?

An elbow fracture is a break in one or more of the three bones that form the elbow joint: the humerus (upper arm bone), the radius, or the ulna. Because all three meet at the elbow, fractures in this area affect both bone structure and joint mechanics, or how the elbow moves.

The most common types of elbow fractures include:

Radial head fracture: This is the most common elbow fracture in adults, which is often caused by a fall on an outstretched hand.
Olecranon fracture: This is a break at the bony tip of the elbow and often requires surgery.
Distal humerus fracture: These breaks at the lower end of the upper arm bone near the elbow joint are common in older adults with osteoporosis and in children.
Supracondylar fracture: These occur just above the elbow and are the most common pediatric elbow fracture. They carry a higher risk of nerve and blood vessel involvement.

Fractures can range from hairline cracks to complete, displaced breaks. The more the bone has shifted out of position, the more likely you’ll need surgery.

Common Causes of Elbow Fractures

Elbow fractures typically result from sudden trauma, especially falls. When you fall, you instinctively extend your arm to help catch yourself. This extra force on your elbow can lead to a fracture. Other common causes are:

Direct blows from contact sports, such as football, hockey, and wrestling
High-impact accidents, such as motor vehicle collisions or bicycle falls
Workplace injuries involving falls from ladders or heavy equipment
Repetitive overuse stress, especially in throwing and racket sports like baseball and tennis

When you fracture your elbow, you can also dislocate it. This fracture-dislocation is a more complex injury that requires being seen by a specialist to make sure your elbow heals properly.

Activities and Factors That Can Increase Your Risk of an Elbow Fracture

While anyone can break their elbow, some people are more susceptible than others. The following factors increase your risk:

Children, especially those between the ages of five and 10, whose bones are not fully developed
Older adults with osteoporosis or reduced bone density
Athletes in contact sports, gymnastics, or martial arts
Workers in construction, roofing, or other high-risk trades
Anyone with a history of prior elbow injury or joint instability
People with vitamin D or calcium deficiencies, which can weaken bones over time

If you fall into one of these categories, being aware of your risk is important. Acting quickly when you injure your elbow can increase the chances of your elbow healing correctly.

Signs and Symptoms: When to Seek Care

Elbow fractures typically cause immediate pain and swelling. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may also notice instability and joint deformity. Other symptoms to watch out for include:

Intense pain at or around the elbow that worsens with movement
Rapid swelling and bruising
Stiffness or an inability to fully bend or straighten your arm
A visible bump
Numbness, weakness, or tingling in the forearm or hand
A snapping or popping sensation at the time of injury

Nerve and blood vessel injuries are more common with elbow fractures than with other arm injuries. Get evaluated immediately if your skin is broken over the fracture site, you’ve lost feeling in your hand or fingers, your arm looks obviously deformed, or you can’t move your elbow at all. Early evaluation with one of our team members can help prevent lasting damage.

Diagnosing an Elbow Fracture

An accurate diagnosis is important because elbow fractures can involve both bone and soft tissue damage. Your evaluation at Interventional Spine & Surgery Group will include:

Physical exam: Your doctor will look at your arm and elbow to find what parts are tender, assess the range of motion in your elbow, wrist, and shoulder, check for joint stability, and evaluate sensation and circulation in your hands and fingers. In children, the exam also looks to see if the injury includes the growth plate.
Imaging and diagnostic tests: This helps your doctor confirm your broken elbow. Depending on what the exam involves, your doctor may order X-rays, a computed tomography (CT) scan, or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.

An X-ray helps your doctor see the bone, and they may order multiple views and angles to get a complete picture. A CT scan provides detailed cross-sectional images, which help your doctor diagnose any complex fractures, and an MRI helps your doctor assess ligament tears, cartilage damage, stress injuries, or nerve-related concerns.

Because the elbow is a mechanical joint, even small fractures can have significant complications. These comprehensive imaging tests help ensure that your doctor doesn’t miss anything.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Broken Elbows

If your fracture is stable and your bone stays aligned, non-surgical management is the preferred approach. These conservative treatments include:

Splinting or casting: These immobilize the joint to allow the bone to heal correctly. You may have to wear a cast for three to six weeks.
Sling support: If your fracture includes the radial head, you’ll be put in a sling. This allows you to move your arm a little bit to help prevent stiffness.
Pain and inflammation management: Ibuprofen and ice can help control your swelling and pain as your elbow starts healing.
Physical therapy and rehab: Once your elbow starts healing, rehab can help your elbow return to normal. These exercises focus on flexion, extension, and rotation, which can reduce stiffness.

Because the elbow is prone to post-injury stiffness, the timing of rehabilitation is an important balance. Your care team will monitor your progress and adjust your care plan as needed.

Surgical Treatment Options

Surgery is often necessary for fractures because the joint needs to be aligned precisely to function. Your doctor will recommend surgery when:

The fracture is displaced, which is when the bone ends have shifted out of alignment.
The cartilage is involved and needs to be reconstructed.
The elbow is dislocated and fractured.
Nerves or blood vessels near the fracture are at risk.

If a conservative approach doesn’t work, you’ll need surgery, such as an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). This procedure uses plates, screws, pins, or wires to hold the fractured bone in place as it heals. It’s used in other types of complex fractures as well, including the ankle and knee. In complex fractures, you may need to have part of the damaged bone segment replaced with a prosthetic implant.

Why Choose Interventional Spine & Surgery Group?

Elbow fractures aren’t always simple. Some involve joint damage, nerve complications, or instability that require careful coordination between different specialties. That’s where Interventional Spine & Surgery Group excels. Our multidisciplinary team includes orthopedic surgeons, pain management specialists, physiatrists, neurologists, physical therapists, and chiropractors working together.

Surgical patients are seen by Dr. Sean Lager, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship
training in sports medicine. He treats the full range of orthopedic injuries, from complex elbow fractures
to total anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, in both children and adults.

Our team takes time to explain what’s happening, answer questions thoroughly, and map out a realistic recovery plan. With us, every decision we make is focused on helping you recover fully and return to the activities you love. With fast access to our specialists, we can see you now, we care, and we’ll help you get better.

Dr. Lager prefers arthroscopic and minimally invasive techniques when they’re appropriate, and he
regularly attends surgical workshops to stay up to date with evolving techniques and technology. With
us, every decision we make is focused on helping you recover fully and return to the activities you love.
With fast access to our specialists, we can see you now, we care, and we’ll help you get better.

Find Elbow Injury Treatment Near You in New Jersey

Elbow fractures can look minor and still cause serious long-term problems without proper care. If you’ve hurt your elbow and notice pain, swelling, or difficulty moving the joint, don’t put off getting it checked. Turn to Interventional Spine & Surgery Group for comprehensive care. Contact us today to schedule an appointment at one of our many locations near you in New Jersey.

Frequently Asked Questions About Elbow Fractures

What is the most common type of elbow fracture in adults?

Radial head fractures are the most common. They typically result from a fall on an outstretched hand and can often heal on their own without surgery.

How do I know if I’ve fractured my elbow or just bruised it?

A bruise causes localized tenderness and dislocation, but it doesn’t usually affect your range of motion. With a fracture, you’ll likely have sharp pain, immediate swelling, and stiffness. Imaging is the only way to get an accurate diagnosis.

Do all elbow fractures require surgery?

No. Many non-displaced fractures heal successfully on their own with immobilization and rehab.

When do I need surgery for a broken elbow?

You’ll need surgery for your broken elbow if:

Your bones have shifted
Your joint needs to be reconstructed
Your elbow is also dislocated
Your elbow hasn’t healed with conservative care.

Your doctor will determine the best approach.

Are elbow fractures common in children?

Yes, especially in those between the ages of five and 10.

Can I still move my arm with an elbow fracture?

Sometimes. Certain fractures, such as hairline fractures, still allow limited movement. However, it may be painful.

How long does it take a broken elbow to heal?

Many elbow fractures heal in six to eight weeks. But it may take several months until you’re able to move it fully or return to full activity.

When should I seek emergency care for an elbow injury?

Seek immediate medical attention if you have severe deformity, numbness, pale fingers, bone protrusion, or an inability to move your arm.