Was the doctor right to put my lower and upper arm in a gypsum cast?

[bone23]

I fell over my left arm five days ago. Went to the ER and, after seeing the radiography of my elbow, the orthopedist decided that I should have my lower and upper arm in a gypsum cast (I think it is called plaster cast in english) for 18 days. The diagnostic was "fissure of the radial head". I need to mention that he saw the radiography, came back to me, pressed on my arm, asked me if I feel pain when he does that and then decided what the diagnostic was. Given the fact that I fad no pains in the next days, I started to look up for my condition to see if it is possible to have the cast removed earlier than 18 days. What I found out is that my arm should not be mechanical immobilized at all and I even should start to perform not very demanding exercises after just 10 days. Another thing I found out about and is unsettling me is a condition called definitive articular ankylosis. I really do not know what to do.

[Sara_MHModerator]

Hello and welcome to the forum.  Thanks for the question!  So "fissure in the radio head" basically means fracture of the elbow.  Sound about right? It also can be a fracture in the radius or small bone of the forearm.  I would imagine that they saw the fracture?  It may not hurt as it is immobilized and recovering.  The course of treatment would depend on the degree of the fracture and how severe it is. Less severe fractures are usually handled with immobilization and 10 days seems typical.  Sling is more commonly used than a cast like you have.  But not moving the arm is the point accomplished by both.  https://teachmesurgery.com/orthopaedic/elbow/radial-head-fractures/  If you are concerned that this wasn't the right call for you, please ask your doctor about it or have a second doctor look at it for a second opinion. Did you learn about the articular ankylosis at this time or did it proceed the injury?  What prompted you to go to the doctor?  Were you in pain and had swelling?  A traumatic event?