Elbow Fracture
The elbow is made up of a group of bones that connect the humerus (upper arm) to the ulna and the radius (the forearm bones). The olecranon or “tip of the elbow” is part of the ulna. If a fracture occurs in any of these bones, it can cause extreme pain and greatly impair your ability to move your arm. Elbow fractures occur from a direct blow to the elbow from a fall, accident or sports injury.
Types of Elbow Fractures
Types of elbow fractures include:
- Distal humerus fracture: The distal humerus is the bone that connects the elbow to the shoulder joint. It meets the radius and ulna to make up the upper part of the elbow joint. These types of elbow fractures are uncommon.
- Olecranon fracture: The olecranon is the bony tip of the elbow and part of the ulna. You can see the olecranon when you bend your arm. Olecranon fracture is one of the most common elbow fractures, because the bone is not protected by soft tissue such as tendons, muscles or ligaments. If you experience a fall or direct blow to the olecranon it can easily fracture.
- Radial head and neck fractures: Radial fractures can easily occur with elbow dislocation (when the joints in the elbow separate and come out of socket). They are also common when you use your hands to break a fall.