How can swelling and pain in the elbow be managed?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 20-year-old, female. I hit my elbow at work the night before last, and it hurts to straighten my arm. I can do it, but it is painful. And randomly, I suddenly have shooting pain in my arm. It is swollen, and there is a small lump where I hit it. I also fractured my elbow in the same place when I was a child. I do not know what to do to make it better. But I am having trouble sleeping and I have to go to work tomorrow, and I need to be able to work without pain.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

From your history, it looks like a blunt injury with a hematoma at the site of the injury. I suggest getting an X-ray of the elbow to rule out a fresh fracture. If there is no fracture, then use an arm pouch and keep the elbow at 90 degrees flexion in the arm pouch for three weeks. I also suggest taking Chymoral forte (Chymotrypsin and Trypsin - enzymes to break down hematoma and swelling) and analgesics like Tramadol-Paracetamol combination for acute pain. Consult a specialist doctor, discuss with him or her, and start taking the medicines with their consent. Give cold compression at the site of injury and swelling.