Elbow Fracture

Explanation of Diagnosis

An elbow fracture means one of the bones that make up your elbow joint is broken. The break may involve the end of the upper arm bone (humerus) or the upper part of the forearm bones (radius and/or ulna). Elbow fractures often happen from a fall onto an outstretched hand or a direct impact to the elbow, and they can also occur during sports or accidents. Common symptoms include pain at the elbow, swelling, bruising, limited motion, and sometimes numbness or tingling if nerves are irritated.

Specific Work Modifications

• Keep the injured arm supported in a sling or at a comfortable angle when you are standing or walking.
• Avoid lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling with the affected arm, especially at arm level or above shoulder height.
• Use a desk setup that brings your keyboard, mouse, and phone close to your body to reduce reaching and twisting.
• Take short breaks every 30 to 45 minutes to gently change position and reduce stiffness.
• If you use a computer, use voice dictation or a larger mouse/grip assist to minimize gripping force.
• For any typing or writing, rest your forearm on a cushion to reduce strain on the elbow.

Specific Activity Modifications

• Avoid sports, running, throwing, and impact activities until your clinician says it is safe.
• Stop any exercise that increases elbow pain sharply, causes new numbness/tingling, or causes significant swelling afterward.
• For household chores, use two hands for heavier tasks and keep the elbow close to your side when possible.
• Avoid weight lifting, push-ups, pull-ups, and resisted range-of-motion work with the injured arm during the early healing phase.
• Choose low-impact activities such as walking, gentle stationary cycling, or light stretching for the rest of the body if approved.
• If you swim or do water workouts, do not use strokes that require pulling through the arm until cleared.

Recommended Supplements

• Vitamin D3 1,000 to 2,000 IU daily may support bone health, especially if your vitamin D level is low.
• Calcium 1,000 to 1,200 mg per day (diet-first, supplements only if needed) may help provide building material for bone healing.
• Protein (for example, an extra 20 to 30 g per meal or a supplement if you struggle to eat enough) may support tissue repair.
• Omega-3 fatty acids (for example, 1,000 mg daily) may help some people with inflammation and comfort, though effects can vary.

Recommended Nutrition and Hydration

Diet Recommendations

• Focus on adequate protein at each meal (eggs, dairy, fish, poultry, beans, tofu) to support repair.
• Aim for a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables daily to supply vitamins and antioxidants that may support healing.
• Choose whole grains and healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, avocado) and limit highly processed foods.
• Avoid nicotine and limit alcohol, since both can interfere with bone healing in many people.
• If you have diabetes or kidney disease, tailor diet choices with your clinician or a dietitian.

Hydration Tips

• Drink water regularly through the day and with meals to support normal recovery processes.
• If swelling is an issue, keep hydration steady rather than skipping fluids, and follow your clinician’s guidance on any restrictions.

Home Exercise Prescription

Do these exercises about 1 to 3 times per day, focusing on gentle, pain-limited movement unless your clinician has instructed otherwise.

1. Finger and hand motion: Open and close your hand comfortably; repeat 10 to 20 reps.
2. Wrist range of motion: With your arm supported on a table, gently move your wrist up/down and side-to-side within comfort; repeat 10 reps each direction.
3. Shoulder blade squeezes: Sit tall and gently pull your shoulder blades back and slightly down without shrugging; hold 3 to 5 seconds, repeat 10 reps.
4. Shoulder pendulums: Lean forward with your good arm supported on a chair, let the injured arm hang comfortably, and make small circles; do 30 to 60 seconds total.
5. Supported elbow range of motion (only if cleared and comfortable): With your forearm supported, gently bend and straighten the elbow only to the point of mild discomfort; repeat 5 to 10 reps.
6. Forearm rotation (only if cleared and comfortable): Keep your elbow close to your side and supported, then slowly turn your palm up and down within comfort; repeat 5 to 10 reps each way.

Stop any exercise if symptoms sharply worsen, you develop new numbness/tingling, or swelling increases significantly.

Helpful Books

• "The Sports Medicine Patient Advisor" written by Todd Ellenbecker
• "Explain Pain" written by David Schechter and Lorimer Moseley
• "Healing and Preventing Sports Injuries" written by Dr. Robert Chase
• "Your Guide to Orthopedic Injuries" written by American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) resources