Can You Break Your Elbow During Sports?

During Which Sport Can You Break Your Elbow?

Elbow injuries, including fractures, can happen in many sports due to the strain on the joint. Following are some sports where elbow fractures are more likely to occur:

• Baseball: The repeated throwing motion can cause stress fractures or injuries from falls or collisions.
• Football: Direct hits during tackles or falls can easily break the elbow.
• Gymnastics: Falling from equipment can cause serious injury to the elbow, leading to fractures.
• Rugby: Like football, the physical contact and risk of falls increase the chances of elbow injuries.
• Weightlifting: Lifting weights incorrectly or accidents with heavy weights can lead to elbow fractures.
• Tennis and Racquet Sports: The repetitive movements and risk of falls can cause injuries, including fractures.

What Does a Broken Elbow Feel Like?

A broken elbow usually comes with several noticeable symptoms that reflect the severity of the injury. The first sign is intense pain around the elbow joint, often made worse by movement or pressure. Swelling typically develops around the elbow, sometimes spreading above and below the joint, due to inflammation.

Bruising or discoloration might appear, indicating bleeding under the skin. In more severe cases, the elbow may look out of alignment or visibly deformed. Moving the elbow becomes difficult or may feel stiff, limiting the range of motion. Some people also experience numbness or tingling in the fingers or hand, often from nerve pressure caused by swelling or trauma.

The area is usually very tender to the touch, and the joint may feel unstable if surrounding ligaments are also damaged. However, for proper diagnosis, visit an elbow injury specialist, Dr. Cusick of Michael C. Cusick, M.D. He is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who thoroughly evaluates and treats elbow and upper extremity disorders.

Treatment Options for Broken Elbow

Most broken elbows are treated without surgery. For most radial head fractures, a few days of rest with a sling is followed by gentle movement to prevent stiffness in the elbow. Olecranon and distal humerus fractures, however, often need surgical fixation. Since pain can be intense, doctors may prescribe painkillers or anti-inflammatory medicine.

Given the delicate nature of the elbow, physical therapy is usually recommended to help regain strength and movement. If therapy is not enough, surgery might be necessary. Common surgical options include closed reduction with percutaneous pinning, open reduction with internal fixation, radial head replacement, or, in severe cases, total elbow replacement. A total elbow replacement is only done if the injury is very serious and it involves a longer healing time due to the complexity of the surgery and the injury itself.