Fracture of elbow joint: Its cause, diagnose and first aid treatment
These are quite common, resulting from a fall on the outstretched hand. This is an unstable injury. The broken ends of bone may move and damage sun-rounding blood vessels.
The condition is diagnosed by the following features.
- There is pain in the elbow, increased by movement.
- There is tenderness over the site of the fracture.
- If the head of radius is fractured, the elbow is stiff and it cannot be fully straightened.
- Circulation in the forearm and hand may be impaired due to vascular injury.
- There may be anesthesia and motor weakness in the hand due to injury to the nerves.
- Swelling and bruising may be present.
First Aid
- If the elbow can be bent, strap am to the chest and support the forearm in a triangular sling.
- If the elbow cannot be bent, place the victim in supine position. Place the injured limb by the side of the trunk. Do not attempt to bend the elbow forcibly. Place a soft padding between die injured limb and the body. The limb to die body by three broad bandages over the wrist and thighs, around the forearm and trunk, and around the upper arm and bunk. Shift him to a hospital immediately on a stretcher.
- Check the pulse at the wrist every 10 minutes.
