Are You Sick?

Types of Elbow Injuries

• Fractures are broken bones. There are three bones involved in the elbow joint and each of them can break around the elbow. Elbow fractures are often very swollen. You will not be able to bend or straighten the elbow fully.
• Dislocations happen when a bone is pulled out of its joint socket. Elbow dislocations are less common than shoulder dislocations. They cause concern since the blood flow to the lower arm can be affected.
• Sprains are stretches and tears of ligaments.
• Strains are stretches and tears of muscles.
• Muscle Overuse. Muscle pain can occur without an injury. There is no fall or direct blow. Muscle overuse is from hard work or sports (such as a sore elbow).
• Muscle bruise can happen from a direct blow.
• Bone bruise can happen from a direct blow.
• Skin Injury examples are a cut, scratch, scrape or bruise. All are common with arm injuries.

Pain Scale

• Mild: you feel pain, but it does not keep you from your normal activities. Work, activities and sleep are not changed.
• Moderate: the pain keeps you from doing some normal activities. It may wake you up from sleep.
• Severe: the pain is very bad. It keeps you from doing all normal activities.