What can I do to fold my hands without a struggle after an elbow injury?

Question

Hi doctor,

After the fall from the bike, I got an elbow injury. A month passed, but I still struggle to fold my hand. A recent X-ray report is attached. Please tell me what happened with my elbow and what to do. I used a hand pouch for two weeks to hang my hand after consulting a local doctor.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. I have seen just your AP (anteroposterior) x-ray (the attachments are removed to protect the patient's identities)of the elbow; there seems to be a healing fracture of your radial head and neck; I would still like to see a lateral X-ray of the elbow to rule out any other fracture. The probable diagnosis could be a radial head fracture. But from the information that you provided, I suggest, you need to visit a physiotherapist to increase the range of movements of your elbow with active assisted exercises and hot fomentations combined with anti-inflammatory medications like Ibuprofen or Naproxen. But I will surely like to see a lateral X-ray before confirming the fracture.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes can not see any fractures in this X-ray lateral view elbow (the attachments are removed to protect the patient's identities); there is a possibility of an occult fracture in the supracondylar humerus, but the treatment now, after three and half weeks, would be to continue as suggested in my previous consultation with physiotherapists and analgesics. I hope you find it helpful.

Thank you.