Elbow Injuries

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The information here will help you understand your elbow injury, guide you through your rehabilitation and explain what you can do to maximise your recovery.

Advice for a recent elbow injury

Care plans

Below we have care plans for different types of elbow injuries, including information that will help you understand your injury, guide you through your rehabilitation and explain what you can do to maximise your recovery.

Your diagnosis should have been made by an orthopaedic consultant or one of the team working under the supervision of the consultant team. The information in these care plans is to help you understand your diagnosis and is not exhaustive.

1. Soft tissue elbow injury

What is your injury?

You have sprained the soft tissues (the ligaments and/or muscles) in your elbow. Your specific injury will be explained in more detail to you.

Healing

It normally takes up to 12 weeks to heal, but this may differ depending on your individual circumstances.

Follow up

Injuries like yours usually heal well on their own over time, so most people won’t need a follow-up. If you do, we’ll contact you by phone.

If you still feel you’d like to see someone, you can book an open appointment at any time in the six months after your injury. Please call 01736 758892 to make an appointment.

Please call the Fracture Clinic on 01872 253091 if:

• you’re unable to follow this rehabilitation plan
• you’re having problems with your sling
• you have any questions
• you notice pain in an area other than your elbow
• you’re still experiencing pain after 12 weeks.

Wearing your sling

Use your sling for comfort after your injury. You can take it off to wash, dress and exercise. You don’t need to wear it at night.

Stop using the sling as soon as you feel comfortable to do so. Early, gentle movement will help stop your elbow getting stiff.

Early movement

Elbows get stiff very quickly so it’s important to start the exercises below as soon as possible. Avoid heavy lifting for at least 6 weeks.

You can do light activities when your pain has settled.

Exercises

Do the following exercises 4-5 times a day. Repeat each exercise 10 times.

Take your sling off to do them and don’t forget to take your pain relief 30 minutes before you do them.

• Hand exercises 2
• Neck exercises
• Elbow exercises 2
• Shoulder exercises: You can move your shoulder as normal. Try to move it daily to help your shoulder stay mobile.

2. Non-displaced radial head and neck fracture

What is your injury?

It’s a break to a bone in your elbow.

Healing

It normally takes up to 12 weeks to heal, but this may differ depending on your individual circumstances. At the start, your elbow may be swollen and you will have some pain.

Follow up

Most non-displaced radial head and neck fractures heal well with time. If we need to follow up with you, either on the phone or face to face, we’ll contact you by phone to arrange it.

If you feel you’d like to see someone, you can book an open appointment at any time in the six months after your injury. Please call 01736 758892 to make an appointment.

Please call the Fracture Clinic on 01872 253091 if:

• you’re unable to follow this rehabilitation plan
• you have any questions
• you’re struggling with your sling
• you notice pain in an area other than your elbow.

Wearing your sling

Wear your sling for comfort in the first 1 to 2 weeks. You can take it off to wash, dress and exercise. You don’t need to wear it at night.

Early movement

Elbows get stiff very quickly so it’s important to start the exercises below as soon as possible. Avoid lifting anything more than the weight of a cup of tea for the first 6 weeks.

You can do light activities when your pain has settled.

Exercises

Regular exercise will prevent stiffness and help to recover movement.

Do these exercises for 6 weeks after your injury. Try to do them every hour. If this is too painful, start with 3 to 4 times a day and increase as pain allows. Taking your pain relief 30 minutes before you do your exercises can help as long as you don’t take them more often than prescribed.

• Hand exercises 2
• Elbow exercises 2
• Neck exercises
• Shoulder exercises: You can move your shoulder as normal. Try to move it daily to help your shoulder stay mobile.

After 6 to 12 weeks

Your fracture should now be mostly healed. You can gradually increase your day-to-day activities. Be guided by any pain or discomfort you may still have.

It’s normal to still have some mild discomfort. This may continue for 3 to 6 months.

More information

You can find out more about your non-displaced radial head and neck fracture, and see demonstrations of the exercises in this video from Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals: Proximal Radius Fracture.

3. Non-displaced olecranon fracture

What is your injury?

It’s a break to a bone in your elbow. Non-displaced means the bone has not moved.

Healing

It normally takes up to 12 weeks to heal, but this may differ depending on your individual circumstances.

Feeling and movement of your hand

You will have been fitted with a plaster and given a sling. While you’re in plaster, it’s important that you can always move your fingers and that you have full feeling in your hand.

If you lose movement or feeling in your fingers, thumb or hand, please go to the Emergency Department (ED) or Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) immediately for your plaster to be checked.

Follow up

You’ll see a specialist 1 to 2 weeks after your injury. We’ll contact you about this within four days of your injury.

The specialist will remove your cast and examine your arm. You might need another x-ray and may be fitted with another cast. The specialist will explain the next stage of your recovery.

You’ll also have a physiotherapy telephone appointment.

You can also book an open appointment at any time in the six months after your injury. Please call 01736 758892 to make an appointment.

Please call the Fracture Clinic on 01872 253091 if:

• if you haven’t heard from us about your follow-up appointment four days after your injury
• you’re unable to follow this rehabilitation plan
• you have any questions
• you’re struggling with your sling or cast
• you notice pain in an area other than your elbow.

Early movement

Elbows get stiff very quickly so it’s important to start the exercises below as soon as possible. Avoid lifting anything more than the weight of a knife and fork for the first 6 weeks.

You can do light activities when your pain has settled.

Exercises

Regular exercise will prevent stiffness and help to recover movement. Do these exercises little and often. Don’t forget to take your pain relief 30 minutes before you do them.

Exercises to do immediately

• Hand exercises 1
• Neck exercises
• Shoulder exercises: You can move your shoulder as normal. Try to move it daily to help your shoulder stay mobile.

Exercises for after your cast has been removed

• Elbow exercises 2

More information

You can find out more about your olecranon fracture, and see demonstrations of the exercises in this video from Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals.

4. Coronoid process fracture

What is your injury?

It’s a break to a bone in your elbow.

Healing

It normally takes up to 12 weeks to heal, but this may differ depending on your individual circumstances.

Follow up

Most coronoid process fractures heal well with time. We’ll contact you by phone if you need further x-rays or follow-up appointments. Some coronoid process fractures may need an operation to fix the bones together. If you do need surgery, a surgeon will discuss it with you. You can find out more about having an operation on our surgery for fractures and soft tissue injuries page.

If you feel you need to see someone, you can book an open appointment at any time in the six months after your injury. Please call 01736 758892 to make an appointment.

Please contact the Fracture Clinic on 01872 253091 if:

• you’re concerned about your symptoms
• you’re unable to follow this rehabilitation plan
• you’re struggling with your sling
• you notice pain in an area other than your elbow.

Wearing your sling

Wear your sling for comfort in the first 2 weeks. You can take it off to wash, dress and exercise. You don’t need to wear it at night.

Early movement

Elbows get stiff very quickly, so it’s important to start the exercises below as soon as possible. Avoid lifting anything more than the weight of a knife and fork for the first 6 weeks.

You can do light activities when your pain has settled.

Exercises

Regular exercise will prevent stiffness and help to recover movement.

Do these exercises for 6 weeks after your injury. Try to do them every hour. If this is too painful, start with 3 to 4 times a day and increase as pain allows. Taking your pain relief 30 minutes before you do your exercises can help as long as you don’t take them more often than prescribed.

• Hand exercises 2
• Elbow exercises 2
• Neck exercises
• Shoulder exercises: You can move your shoulder as normal. Try to move it daily to help your shoulder stay mobile.

After 6 to 12 weeks

Your fracture should now be healed.

You can gradually increase your day-to-day activities. Be guided by any pain or discomfort you may still have.

It’s normal to still have some mild discomfort. This may continue for 3 to 6 months.

Avoid lifting heavy objects and contact sports until 12 weeks after your injury.

More information

You can find out more about your coronoid process fracture, and see demonstrations of the exercises in this video from Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals.

5. Elbow dislocation

What is your injury?

It’s a dislocation in your elbow. This means that your elbow came out of its joint and was not in the right place. You will have had help in the ED putting your elbow back in joint. The soft tissues and ligaments stabilising your elbow will have been stretched at the time of your injury.

Healing

It normally takes up to 12 weeks to heal, but this may differ depending on your individual circumstances.

Follow up

You will see a specialist in the Fracture Clinic 1 to 2 weeks after your injury. They will examine the stability of your elbow and will explain the next stage of your rehabilitation.

Some elbow dislocations will need an operation to realign the bones and/or repair the ligaments. If you do need surgery, a surgeon will discuss it with you. You can find out more about having an operation on our surgery for fractures and soft tissue injuries page.

You can also book an open appointment at any time in the six months after your injury. Please call 01736 758892 to make an appointment.

Please call the Fracture Clinic on 01872 253091 if:

• You haven’t heard from us about your follow-up by 4 days after your injury
• you’re unable to follow this rehabilitation plan
• you have any questions
• you’re struggling with your sling
• you notice pain in an area other than your elbow.

Wearing your sling

Wear your sling in the day for comfort. You can take it off to wash, dress and to do your exercises.

Wearing your brace

If you’ve been given a brace:

• This video shows you how to put your Breg T-Scope Elbow Brace on.
• This video shows you how to put on your JAS EZ Elbow Brace.

Early movement

Elbows get stiff very quickly so it’s important to start the exercises below as soon as possible.

Avoid lifting anything more than the weight of a cup of tea for the first 6 weeks.

You can do light activities when your pain has settled.

Exercises

Try to do these exercises 4-5 times a day. Repeat each exercise 10 times.

Don’t forget to take your pain relief 30 minutes before you do your exercises.

• Hand exercises 2
• Neck exercises
• Elbow exercises 1
• Shoulder exercises: You can move your shoulder as normal. Try to move it daily to help your shoulder stay mobile.
• Elbow exercises 3

6. Elbow fracture dislocation

What is your injury?

It’s a dislocation with a break to a bone in your elbow. This means that your elbow came out of its joint and was not in the right place. You will have had help in the ED to put your elbow back in joint. The soft tissues and ligaments stabilising your elbow will have been stretched at the time of your injury. The break to your bone also makes this injury more complex.

Healing

It normally takes up to 12 weeks to heal, but this may differ depending on your individual circumstances.

Follow up

You will see a specialist in the Fracture Clinic 1 to 2 weeks after your injury. They will examine the stability of your elbow and will explain the next stage of your rehabilitation.

You can also book an open appointment at any time in the six months after your injury. Please call 01736 758892 to make an appointment.

Please call the Fracture Clinic on 01872 253091 if:

• You haven’t heard from us about your follow-up by 4 days after your injury
• you’re unable to follow this rehabilitation plan
• you have any questions
• you’re struggling with your sling
• you notice pain in an area other than your elbow.

Wearing your sling

Wear your sling in the day for comfort. You can take it off to wash, dress and to do your exercises.

Wearing your brace

If you’ve been given a brace:

• This video shows you how to put your Breg T-Scope Elbow Brace on.
• This video shows you how to put on your JAS EZ Elbow Brace.

Early movement and exercise

Elbows get stiff very quickly so it’s important to start the exercises below as soon as possible.

Avoid lifting anything more than the weight of a cup of tea for the first 6 weeks.

You can do light activities when your pain has settled.

Exercises

Try to do these exercises 4-5 times a day. Repeat each exercise 10 times.

Don’t forget to take your pain relief 30 minutes before you do your exercises.

• Hand exercises 2
• Neck exercises
• Shoulder exercises: You can move your shoulder as normal. Try to move it daily to help your shoulder stay mobile.

Further exercises

ONLY do these exercises when told to do so by a member of the orthopaedic team:

• Elbow exercises 1
• Elbow exercises 3

Your sling and plaster cast

Using your sling

Wear your sling as instructed in the care plan for your injury below.

You can see more about how to fit your sling, and washing, dressing, sleeping and sitting with your sling in these videos.

If you’re struggling with your sling, please call the Fracture Clinic on 01872 253091 and we’ll be happy to give you advice.

If you’ve been given a plaster cast

For some elbow injuries the Emergency Department (ED) or Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) may fit you with a plaster cast. Keep this clean and dry. Find out more about caring for your plaster cast.

Preventing complications

Caring for your wound and stitches

If you’ve had an operation, you’ll need to keep your stitches dry and clean. You should also look out for any redness or signs of swelling, bleeding or pus as these can be signs of an infection.

You can find information about how to care for your stitches, if/when they need to be removed and signs of an infection on our surgery for fractures and soft tissue injuries page.

Blood clots and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Because your limb is immobilised and you’ll be moving less than normal, you’re at higher risk of developing a blood clot or Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). This can be life threatening if left untreated.

Symptoms of DVT in the leg are:

• throbbing or cramping pain in 1 leg (rarely both legs), usually in the calf or thigh
• swelling in 1 leg (rarely both legs)
• warm skin around the painful area
• red or darkened skin around the painful area
• swollen veins that are hard or sore when you touch them.

These symptoms can also happen in your arm or tummy if that’s where the blood clot is.

More information about DVT

• Watch this video about how to prevent DVT.
• Learn more about DVT including symptoms, who is at risk and how to treat it.
• Find out how to reduce the risk of blood clots when you have an immobilised lower limb (PDF, 108 KB).

Preventative medication for DVT

If you have been told not to put any weight through your leg or to partially weight bear (50%), you should have been assessed in ED or MIU and told if you need to take preventative medication.

If you have not had this conversation please call your GP for an urgent appointment.

Depending on your injury, you may have been prescribed a course of a blood thinner. There are a few different types of medication and they often need injecting into your tummy. You can discuss an alternative with a doctor. Please see the relevant care plan for your injury.

Pressure sores and ulcers

Wearing a boot or plaster cast combined with not moving your limb can lead to pressure sores or ulcers. These are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure, rubbing or tension.

They often develop gradually, but can sometimes form in a few hours.

Signs and symptoms of pressure sores

These include:

• skin discolouration – red patches for people with pale skin, purple or blue patches for people with dark skin
• discoloured patches that do not turn white when pressed
• a patch of skin that feels warm, spongy or hard
• pain or itchiness in the affected area.

If you have a boot, take it off every day to check your skin and make sure it’s not rubbing.

If you have a plaster cast, look out for a change in colour (red or white) of your skin above or below the plaster, an increase in pain inside the plaster or pins and needles.

• Watch this video to learn how to prevent pressure sores.
• Read more about pressure sores on the NHS website.

If you think you have a pressure sore or ulcer call the Fracture Clinic straight away on 01872 253091.

For out of hours advice please call 01736 758909.

Sepsis

Sepsis (also known as blood poisoning) is a serious infection that can be life threatening. There is no one sign for sepsis so it can be hard to spot.

Call 111 immediately if you develop any of the following:

• Slurred speech or confusion
• Extreme shivering or muscle pain
• Passing no urine in a day
• Severe breathlessness
• It feels like you’re going to die
• Skin is mottled or discoloured.

Find out more about the symptoms of sepsis on the NHS website.

These videos also explain what sepsis is and how to spot the early signs.

Living with your injury

Driving

Wait at least six weeks after your injury. After that, you can return to driving when:

• you have been told you no longer need your sling
• we’ve removed your cast (if you had one)
• you’re able to turn the steering wheel comfortably and without any pain
• you can control the vehicle safely
• you’ve checked it’s okay to drive with your insurance company.

Always test your ability to drive with the ignition off and in a safe environment.

If you have a follow-up appointment with us, please wait until your consultant or physiotherapist has given you clearance to drive. If you are in any doubt, do not drive until you have spoken to our team.

Work

Decisions to return to work are made on a unique basis and should be discussed with the Fracture Clinic, your GP and your employer.

You may need time off work and when you return, you may need light or amended duties. When you should return to work will depend on your profession and your injury.

You can get a fitness to work statement or a sick note when you come into the Fracture Clinic. If you don’t need to come and see us, you can get one from your GP.

Sport

You should not do any sports for 6 to 12 weeks.

You must avoid contact sports and heavy lifting for 12 weeks.

Thank you to Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals for kindly letting us use information from their care plans to create this site.