Elbow Fracture Treatment & Management
- Author: Daniel K Nishijima, MD; Chief Editor: Rick Kulkarni, MD more...
Emergency Department Care
Emergency physicians need to do a thorough neurovascular examination as well as evaluate for concurrent injuries.
Provide adequate analgesia to achieve patient comfort in the ED.
Proper immobilization for the various types of elbow fractures is indicated.
Assess whether the patient needs orthopedic evaluation in the ED, admission to the hospital for observation, or if discharge and follow up with an orthopedic surgeon is adequate.
Consultations
All elbow fractures should be referred for orthopedic follow-up.
Urgent orthopedic consultation in the ED is required in the following situations:
- If an open fracture or an open joint is suspected
- If the injury poses a significant risk of neurovascular injury such as a displaced supracondylar fracture
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| Ossification Centers | Age of Appearance, y |
| Capitellum | 1-2 |
| Radial head | 4-5 |
| Internal (medial) epicondyle | 4-5 |
| Trochlea | 8-10 |
| Olecranon | 8-9 |
| External (lateral) epicondyle | 10-11 |

