Upper Limb — Trauma & Reconstruction
Elbow Fracture — A Comprehensive Guide
From diagnosis to recovery. Understand types of elbow fractures, when surgery is needed, how fixation works, costs in Hyderabad, and realistic rehab milestones.
Know the pattern
Common elbow fracture types
- Radial head/neck fractures (Mason I–III).
- Olecranon (tip of ulna) fractures.
- Distal humerus intra-articular fractures.
- Terrible triad: dislocation + radial head + coronoid fracture.
- Paediatric supracondylar injuries (different management principles).
What it feels like
Symptoms & red flags
- Pain, swelling, and inability to bend/straighten the elbow.
- Deformity or clicking/locking with movement.
- Numbness/tingling in fingers (ulnar/median nerve involvement).
- Open wounds or colour change in hand (seek urgent care).
Imaging matters
Diagnosis & imaging
- X-rays in two planes; CT for complex articular patterns.
- Assess stability, joint congruence, and associated ligament injuries.
- Nerve/vascular check is essential before and after reduction.
Right treatment at the right time
Non-operative care vs elbow fracture surgery in Hyderabad
- Non-operative: Stable, non-displaced fractures—brief immobilisation, early motion.
- Surgical fixation (ORIF): Displaced/unstable or intra-articular fractures needing plates/screws.
- Radial head arthroplasty: Comminuted head with instability.
- Ligament repair/reconstruction: When instability persists after fixation.
What happens in theatre
Elbow fracture surgery — procedure overview
- Regional + general anaesthesia; careful nerve protection.
- Anatomic reduction of the joint; stable fixation with plates/screws or radial head implant.
- Address collateral ligaments if lax; wound closed; splint for comfort.
- Physiotherapy begins early to prevent stiffness.
Rehab roadmap
Recovery timeline
| Phase | Weeks | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Pain control & protection | 0–2 | Splint/sling; finger/wrist motion; wound care |
| Early motion | 2–6 | Guided flexion–extension; forearm rotation as allowed |
| Strength | 6–12 | Progressive strengthening; functional tasks |
| Return | 3–6 months | Work/sport based on fracture pattern & stability |
Stiffness is the commonest challenge—stable fixation + early supervised motion are key.
Transparent pricing
Cost of elbow fracture surgery in Hyderabad
Typical range: ₹80,000 – ₹2,20,000, depending on fracture type, implants, and hospital stay.
- Surgeon & anaesthesia fees
- OT charges, plates/screws or implant
- Inpatient stay & pain control
- Physiotherapy initiation
Patient education resource: AAOS — Elbow Fractures.
What patients ask
Elbow fracture — FAQs
Do all elbow fractures need surgery?
No. Stable, non-displaced fractures often heal with brief immobilisation and early motion. Surgery is for displaced/unstable or joint-involving fractures.
How soon should surgery be done?
Ideally within the first few days once swelling is controlled—early anatomic fixation reduces stiffness and improves function.
When can I straighten my elbow fully?
Full extension may take weeks. Your programme gradually restores motion while protecting fixation.
Expertise that matters
Why choose Dr. Deepthi Nandan Reddy?
- Fellowship-trained: Advanced upper-limb trauma & arthroscopy in the UK & USA.
- Early-motion philosophy: Stable fixation aimed at preventing stiffness.
- Regional reach: Telangana, AP, Odisha (Bhubaneswar), Maharashtra (Solapur), Karnataka (Kalaburagi), and international/NRI families.
- Multilingual care: English, Telugu, Hindi.
Need elbow fracture care now?
Get a precise plan—stability restored, stiffness prevented, recovery mapped.
Related reading: Shoulder Arthroscopy · Rotator Cuff Repair · Shoulder Replacement
