ELBOW FRACTURE

[suz1st]

What is the protocol for treatment of an acute/cracked radial head/elbow fracture?
I was splinted/bandaged for 10 days...then told just to take it easy..and do gentle pronation/supination exercises & return in 3 weeks.  It still hurts like crazy, is very weak and I can't do much with it.
Please advise how long something like this usually takes to feel better & treatment plan.

[suz1st]

Wow, that's good to know.  Here in the U.S. (at least my orthopedic group) they believe that the elbow joint demands to move so they do not usually cast. I had a totally fractured R radial head last fall (which required surgical replacement) plus an olcraneon fx & still wasn't casted.  I keep using an elbow pad (used for tendonitis) & ACE wrapping it when I sleep (on my side).
I suppose it is coming along..but it has been nearly a month already.

[suz1st]

Not familiar with A & E (to me that means Arts & Entertainment! lol)
I'm still w/o anything. Next appt. is Aug 6th. Couldn't clearly be seen on xray; had to do a CT- and I'm not having those done repeatedly as they cost me $100 a pop.  I suppose it's getting somewhat better.  Extending it is the worst.
Are you a nurse or a fellow sufferer?  I'm 57yrs. old...I don't seem to heal very fast.

[bmthbloke]

Hi there,

Im assuming they put it in a backslab cast (a plaster of paris cast with a split down the middle). That is usually on for 7 - 10 days. In this time you get an appointment for the fracture clinic where they will re x-ray the brake and put a proper (polyester) cast on.

If you are worried go to the A&E department and they can x-ray