Elbow Consultant Advice

Elbow fracture

Hi, I’m Sam Vollans, an orthopaedic surgeon who regularly treats patients with injuries like yours. I’m here to guide you through the details of your injury, the treatment you need, and your recovery plan.

You’ve sustained a small fracture to your elbow. These fractures are often visible on an X-ray, but sometimes they’re not. The most common type is a radial head fracture, though fractures can also occur in other bones of the elbow. A few examples of these fractures are shown on the screen.

These injuries are very common, and we treat hundreds of patients like you every year. You can expect pain and swelling in your elbow for up to six to eight weeks. It will take about three to six months for your elbow to feel back to normal. You may need regular pain relief, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. For further details on your early recovery, please refer to the Phase 1 rehabilitation plan you may have received.

If you were given a sling, it’s for comfort only. It’s important to remove it and start moving your elbow early to achieve the best outcome. For instructions on how to put the sling on and take it off, please refer to our sling video.

You can start driving as soon as you feel able. However, it’s crucial that you are able to drive safely, which means being able to steer, change gears, and perform an emergency stop. The sling must be removed before it’s safe to drive.

Regarding work, you can return as soon as your employer feels it’s safe for you to do so.