Tag Archive for: elbow injury

Distal Humerus Fracture of The Elbow

/in ,

Think about sitting at the computer and not being able to type or extend or flex your arm to reach for objects. A distal humerus fracture of the elbow can make it impossible and affect other functions in your everyday life. Distal humerus fractures of the elbow are typically associated with a trauma that causes the fracture and can be extremely painful. If someone experiences such a suspected fracture, it is essential to seek immediate help from an orthopedic specialist. At the Colorado Center of Orthopedic Excellence in Colorado Springs, Colorado, they can determine if you have suffered a distal humerus of the elbow so that you get the exact and expert help you need.

OVERVIEW

A distal humerus fracture of the elbow is a break in the lower end of the upper arm bone (humerus), one of the three bones that come together to form the elbow joint. Distal humerus fractures of the elbow are uncommon; they account for just about 2% of all adult fractures. They can occur on their own, with no other injuries, but can also be part of a more complex elbow injury. These injuries interfere with the ability of the elbow to place the hand in a functional position. While many distal humerus fractures in children can be treated non-operatively, the majority of fractures in adults will require surgery.

ABOUT THE ELBOW

The elbow joint is a hinge joint that serves two distinct functions; bending and straightening the elbow and turning the palm up and palm down. The elbow is made up of three bones: the humerus (upper arm bone), the radius (forearm bone on the thumb side), and the ulna (forearm bone on the pinky side). The humerus is the long bone in the upper arm. The top of the bone is part of the shoulder joint, and the bottom is part of the elbow joint. There are many muscles surrounding the humerus bone: the biceps and brachialis muscles are in the front, and the triceps muscle is in the back. There are also nerves, arteries, and veins going up and down along the bone. The lower end of the humerus bone is called the distal part or “distal humerus.” The distal humerus has cartilage at the end of it, which is part of the upper part of the elbow joint. There is a large nerve on the inner side of the distal humerus and elbow called the ulnar nerve. This is the nerve that causes pain and the feeling of pins and needles when you hit your “funny bone.”

WHAT IS A DISTAL HUMERUS FRACTURE OF THE ELBOW?

This fracture occurs when there is a break anywhere within the distal region (lower end) of the humerus. The bone can crack just slightly or break into many pieces (comminuted fracture). The broken pieces of bone may line up straight or be far out of place (displaced fracture). In some cases, the bone breaks in such a way that bone fragments stick out through the skin, or a wound penetrates down to the bone. This is called an open fracture. Open fractures are particularly serious because once the skin is broken, infection in both the wound and the bone is more likely to occur.

Read more about Distal Humerus Fracture of the Elbow on our new Colorado Springs Orthopedic News Site – Colorado Springs Orthopedic News. Schedule an appointment with an elbow specialist today.

Common Types of Elbow Injuries

/in ,

The elbow is a complex joint that permits extension and flexion of the lower arm. It also permits the rotation of the wrist and hand. The elbow is actually the junction of 3 bones: the humerus, the radius, and ulna bones.

Common Elbow Injuries

There are variety of ways you can injure your elbow. Let’s take a look at some of these ways and how orthopedic doctors typically treat them.  You will notice some of the most common injuries are named after sports. This is because the injuries are often incurred by athletes who play those sports. However, the injuries are not exclusive to athletes. There are a lot of people who do not play sports but still incur these injuries because their hobbies, activities, or occupations require similar movements to that of sports. 

Pitcher’s Elbow – Also referred to as Little League elbow, Pitcher’s elbow is an injury caused by excessive throwing motions often used in sports such as baseball or softball. Not only does Pitcher’s elbow cause pain, it can also interfere with the motion of the elbow which influences performance. Most cases of Pitcher’s elbow are treated through rest and non-surgical treatments. 

Golfer’s Elbow – This is a type of cumulative trauma injury in which the tendons that attach to the inner elbow degenerate. Golfer’s elbow is caused by repetitive motions that are similar to swinging a golf club. It causes pain that radiates from the elbow and down the forearm. Most cases of Golfer’s elbow can be treated through rest and non-surgical treatments. However, in some cases, the tendon degenerates significantly and needs surgery to fix.

Tennis Elbow – Tennis elbow is the deterioration of the tendon that attaches to the bone on the outside of the elbow. This is an overuse injury most common when the movements of hitting a ball with a tennis racket are repeated too often. Tennis elbow is most often treated through rest, physical therapy, and pain medications. 

Fracture – A fracture refers to when a bone breaks due to too much force being applied to it. The elbow is made of up the humerus, ulna, and radius bones. If one of these bones is fractured, it can cause a lot of pain, swelling, and immobility. Fractures are often treated using immobilization using splints, casts, and slings, pain medications, and physical therapy. In the situation where the fracture is significant or the bone is broken into multiple pieces, surgery may be required to fix the damage.

Elbow Pain Relief in Colorado Springs, Colorado

If you are suffering from elbow pain or have suffered an elbow injury recently, it’s important for you to see a doctor immediately. If left untreated, elbow injuries can cause a lot of unnecessary pain and become more complex and difficult to treat. The experts at the Colorado Center for Orthopedic Excellence have a wealth of knowledge, training, and experience treating every type of orthopedic injury and would love to help make you feel better. Make an appointment by calling (719) 623-1050 or request an appointment online.