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Elbow sprain - aftercare
Elbow injury - aftercare; Sprained elbow - aftercare
A sprain is an injury to the ligaments around a joint. A ligament is a band of tissue that connects bone to bone. The ligaments in your elbow help connect the bones of your upper and lower arm around your elbow joint. When you sprain your elbow, you have pulled or torn one or more of the ligaments in your elbow joint.
More About Your Injury
An elbow sprain can occur when your arm is quickly bent or twisted in an unnatural position. It can also happen when the ligaments are overloaded during regular movement. Elbow sprains can happen when:
- You fall with your arm stretched out, such as when playing sports
- Your elbow is hit very hard, such as during a car accident
What to Expect
You may notice:
-
Elbow pain
and
swelling
Elbow pain
This article describes aching or other discomfort in the elbow that is not related to direct injury.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleSwelling
Joint swelling is the buildup of fluid in the soft tissue surrounding the joint.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Bruising, redness, or warmth around your elbow
- Pain when you move your elbow
Tell your doctor if you heard a "pop" when you injured your elbow. This could be a sign that the ligament was torn.
After examining your elbow, your doctor may order an x-ray to see if there are any breaks (fractures) to the bones in your elbow. You may also have an MRI of the elbow . The MRI pictures will show whether tissues around your elbow have been stretched or torn.
MRI of the elbow
An arm MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan uses strong magnets to create pictures of the upper and lower arm. This may include the elbow, wrist, h...
If you have an elbow sprain, you may need:
-
A
sling
to keep your arm and elbow from moving
Sling
A sling is a device used to support and keep still (immobilize) an injured part of the body. Slings can be used for many different injuries. They a...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article -
A cast or
splint
if you have severe sprain
Splint
A splint is a device used for holding a part of the body stable to decrease pain and prevent further injury.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article
Self-care at Home
Your health care provider will likely instruct you to follow RICE to help reduce pain and swelling:
- Rest your elbow. Avoid moving your arm and elbow.
- Ice your elbow for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, 3 to 4 times a day. Wrap the ice in cloth. DO NOT place ice directly on the skin.
- Compress the area by wrapping it with an elastic bandage or compression wrap.
- Elevate your elbow by raising it above the level of your heart. You can prop it up with pillows.
You can take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) to reduce pain and swelling. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) helps with pain, but not swelling. You can buy these pain medicines at the store.
- Talk with your provider before using these medicines if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, or have had stomach ulcers or internal bleeding in the past.
- DO NOT take more than the amount recommended on the bottle or by your provider.
Activity
You may need to wear a sling, splint, or cast for about 2 to 3 weeks while your elbow heals. Depending on how badly it is sprained, you may need to work with a physical therapist who will show you stretching and strengthening exercises.
Most people recover completely from a simple elbow sprain in about 4 weeks.
When to Call the Doctor
Call your doctor if:
- You have increased swelling or pain
- Self-care does not seem to help
References
Chard MD, Walker-Bone K. The elbow. In: Hochberg MC, Silman AJ, Smolen JS, Weinblatt ME, Weisman MH, eds. Rheumatology . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2015:chap 74.
Review Date: 7/13/2015
Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
