The elbow is a complex hinge joint formed by the articulation of three bones: the humerus, radius, and ulna. A fracture often occurs when a significant force, such as a fall onto an outstretched hand, impacts this joint. If you suspect a bone is broken in this area, the answer to whether you can move a broken elbow is a definitive no. Any attempt at movement before receiving medical attention can drastically worsen the injury and lead to serious complications.
Understanding the Severity of an Elbow Fracture
An elbow fracture is a break in any of the three bones that meet at the joint: the distal humerus, the proximal radius (radial head), or the proximal ulna (olecranon). Fractures range from a simple, non-displaced crack, where the bone pieces remain aligned, to a severe, displaced fracture where fragments are moved out of position. The olecranon, the bony tip of the elbow, is particularly vulnerable due to limited surrounding tissue protection.
The elbow’s proximity to major neurovascular structures makes any fracture a serious medical concern. The brachial artery, which supplies blood to the forearm and hand, runs close to the joint, as do the median, ulnar, and radial nerves. Displaced bone fragments can easily damage these structures. A break can quickly compromise blood flow or nerve function, requiring immediate attention to prevent permanent disability.
Why Attempting Movement Is Dangerous
Moving a fractured elbow is highly discouraged because it can transform a stable injury into a complicated one. The greatest immediate risk is the further displacement of jagged bone fragments. This movement increases pain and can cause fragments to cut into surrounding soft tissues, including muscles and tendons.
A displaced fragment can puncture the skin, converting a closed fracture into an open (compound) fracture. Open fractures are more serious because they introduce a high risk of deep infection into the bone and surrounding tissues. Movement can also endanger the neurovascular bundle that passes through the elbow region.
Continued movement could cause a loose bone fragment to sever or compress the median, ulnar, or radial nerves, potentially leading to permanent numbness or paralysis. A catastrophic risk is injury to the brachial artery, often indicated by a pale, cold, or pulseless hand. This vascular compromise can rapidly lead to tissue death and requires emergency surgical intervention to save the limb.
Immediate First Aid and Stabilization
Immediate first aid must focus on immobilization and minimizing swelling while waiting for professional medical help. The arm should be protected from movement and rested in the most comfortable position found after the injury. Never attempt to reposition or “set” the bone yourself.
A temporary splint or sling can stabilize the arm, using rigid materials like rolled-up newspapers or boards, secured loosely above and below the joint. Apply ice wrapped in a cloth to the injured area for 15 to 20 minutes to reduce swelling and pain. If possible, carefully elevate the limb above the level of the heart to limit swelling.
Professional Medical Intervention
Once the patient reaches the hospital, diagnosis involves imaging, most commonly X-rays, to confirm the fracture location and severity. More complex injuries may require a computed tomography (CT) scan to assess the joint surface and degree of bone fragmentation. Treatment is determined by whether the fracture is stable and non-displaced or unstable and complex.
Simple, non-displaced fractures may be treated non-surgically with a cast or splint. Displaced or comminuted fractures, where the bone is broken into multiple pieces, usually require surgery. This procedure is called Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF), where the surgeon realigns the bone fragments and secures them with metal plates, screws, or wires. Following treatment, physical therapy is necessary to address elbow stiffness and regain the joint’s full range of motion.