The elbow is a joint made up of three bones: the humerus, which is the upper arm bone, and the radius and ulna, which are the forearm bones. An elbow fracture often happens when a child falls onto an arm that is stretched out. This can cause serious pain in the elbow and tingling or loss of feeling in the hand. Fractures are more frequent in children because of their active lifestyle and the nature of their bones. Children's bones contain a growth plate, which is a region of developing cartilage at the end of long bones. This growth plate eventually turns into solid bone as the child grows older.
The child’s doctor first checks the arm for any signs of harm to the blood vessels or nerves. An X-ray is then done to confirm the presence of a fracture and to assess how severe it is. The treatment for elbow fractures is based on how much the bone is out of place and the type of break that has occurred
- Nonsurgical treatment: If there is minimal or no movement away from the usual position, non-surgical treatment is advised. The doctor may use a cast to keep the arm still for a period of 3 to 5 weeks. X-rays will be taken regularly to ensure the bones are correctly aligned.
- Surgical treatment: Surgery might be suggested if the broken bones have shifted from their normal position. The doctor will carefully realign the bones and might use metal pins, screws, or wires to keep them stable. Your child will need to wear a cast for several weeks. Once the healing process has been ongoing for about a month, the doctor will guide your child through exercises to help restore movement and flexibility.
