Treatment options for elbow fractures
Elbow fractures can be non-displaced (when the bones have not moved out of the correct position) or displaced (when the bones are seriously fractured and fragments may have separated causing the bones to move out of place).
Treatment depends on the type of elbow fracture you have and the severity of your condition. For non-displaced elbow fractures, non-surgical options effectively treat the fracture. Displaced elbow fractures usually require surgery to repair the fracture and reconstruction of ligaments and tendons, if necessary.
Most elbow fractures, if they are non-displaced, can be treated with conservative techniques such as:
- Elevation of the elbow to help decrease swelling
- Icing
- Immobilization with an arm sling or wrap while bones heal
- Pain or anti-inflammatory medication
- Physical therapy and range of motion exercises under the supervision of a physical therapist
Our orthopaedic surgeons are highly skilled in performing all types of complex elbow fracture surgeries, including non-union fractures (bones that have not healed properly) and other severe bone breaks. Minor fractures do not always require surgery, but if you suffer a displaced or non-union fracture, your surgeon will likely perform surgery to repair it. We have expertise in treating elbow fractures that require multiple surgical procedures at the same time, including bone-grafting and reconstruction and/or transfer of ligaments and tendons.
Our orthopaedic surgeons tailor surgery and treatment to suit your needs. In most cases, you can decide if you prefer outpatient surgery (when you go home on the same day) or an overnight stay in the hospital.
Types of elbow fracture surgeries we perform include:
Open reduction and internal fixation surgery
If the bones in the elbow are displaced or if there is a compound fracture, surgery is necessary. An open reduction and internal fixation surgical procedure puts the bones back into place.
Our orthopaedic surgeons use certain specialized hardware including screws, plates or pins. This special hardware is used to hold the bones in place to ensure they heal correctly. In some cases, we perform bone grafting as well as microsurgical techniques to repair soft tissues such as ligaments and tendons.
Total elbow replacement surgery
We are highly experienced in performing total elbow replacement to treat severe damage caused by an elbow fracture. During a total elbow replacement, the damaged bone and soft tissue are removed, and all parts of the elbow are replaced with artificial parts. This type of surgery uses either a “linked” or “unlinked” technique.
The linked method places artificial stems inside the humerus and the ulna and connects them with a hinge to reconstruct the anatomy of the elbow.
Total elbow replacement allows for restored mobility and eliminates or greatly reduces pain for those who have suffered severe elbow fractures that are difficult to repair.
Non-union elbow fracture surgery
A non-union elbow fracture is a broken bone in the elbow that did not heal properly. Treatment may require surgery to remove an infection if present and to better stabilize the fracture. A bone graft may be required to stimulate bone growth. Our surgeons perform complex non-union surgical repair with vascularized bone grafting. Vascularized bone grafts transplant living bone tissue to replace damaged bone tissue. We are experts in this highly specialized procedure and one of a few medical centers in the nation that perform vascularized bone grafting.