Elbow fracture

Revision as of 18:36, 29 September 2014 by Rossdonaldson1 (talk | contribs)

Radial Head

Background

  • Most common fractures of the elbow
  • Caused by FOOSH leading to radial head being driven into the capitellum
  • Associated injuries are common:
    • Capitellum, olecranon, and coronoid fx, MCL injury, dislocation

Clinical Features

  • Pain in the lateral elbow, esp w/ pronation/supination of forearm
  • Swelling laterally and tenderness of radial head

Differential Diagnosis

Elbow Diagnoses

Radiograph-Positive

Radiograph-Negative

Pediatric

Diagnosis

  • Imaging
    • Fractures are often subtle
      • Look for abnormal fat pad
      • Look for radiocapitellar line disruption

Management

  • Sling immobilization in flexion, ice, elevation
  • Nondisplaced fx w/ no mobility restrictions: ortho f/u within 1wk
  • Displaced fx or mobility restricintons: ortho f/u within 24hr

Olecranon

Background

  • Occurs via direct trauma or by fall w/ forced hyperextension of elbow
  • Associated injuries are common:
    • Dislocations, radial head fx, ulnar nerve injury

Clinical Features

  • Pain, swelling, and occasionally over posterior elbow
  • Forearm extension strength is reduced (triceps inserts at the olecranon)

Differential Diagnosis

Elbow Diagnoses

Radiograph-Positive

Radiograph-Negative

Pediatric

Management

  • Rule-out ulnar nerve injury
  • Immobilize w/ long arm posterior mold w/ elbow in flexion and forearm neutral
  • Refer to ortho w/in 24hr

See Also

Source

  • Tintinalli
Retrieved from "https://www.wikem.org/w/index.php?title=Elbow_fracture&oldid=24143"