Elbow Fracture (Broken Elbow) Treatment
The elbow is a complex hinge joint formed by three bones — the humerus, ulna, and radius — and a fracture to any of them can severely disrupt arm function, restrict range of motion, and cause intense pain. The most common type of elbow fracture involves the olecranon — the bony point at the tip of the elbow that forms the upper end of the ulna — because it sits directly beneath the skin with minimal soft tissue protection and absorbs the full force of a direct fall or impact. Olecranon fractures can range from simple hairline cracks to complex, comminuted breaks in which the bone shatters into multiple fragments. Because the triceps tendon attaches directly to the olecranon and is responsible for straightening the arm, even a seemingly minor fracture in this area can compromise the ability to extend the elbow if the bones can be fractured and shift out of alignment. Prompt evaluation by an orthopedic specialist — including imaging to assess fragment displacement and joint surface involvement — is critical for determining whether the fracture can be treated conservatively or requires surgical repair.
Dr. Jonathan Glashow is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and Clinical Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, with more than 30 years of experience treating acute fractures and complex elbow injuries. A Cornell University Medical College graduate who served as Chief Resident at Lenox Hill Hospital — with additional pediatric orthopedic training at Harvard University’s Boston Children’s Hospital — he has the specialized training to manage elbow fractures across all age groups, from pediatric growth plate injuries to osteoporotic fractures in older adults. As Chief Medical Officer for the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia 76ers, Dr. Glashow treats elbow fractures sustained during professional competition where accurate reduction, stable fixation, and accelerated rehabilitation are non-negotiable. Named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor every year since 2000, he offers same-day X-rays, immediate evaluation, and emergency surgical capability for broken elbows at his Upper East Side practice in New York City.
Elbow or Olecranon Fracture Symptoms
Landing on the point of your elbow in a fall or direct impact to the elbow can cause an elbow or olecranon fracture. The olecranon is the bony tip of your elbow, a cup-shaped bone at the end of the ulna, the outside forearm bone. A broken elbow can result in small hairline fractures in the olecranon, or the bony protrusion can shatter. Symptoms of a broken elbow include:
- Sudden, intense elbow pain
- Swelling at the point of the elbow
- Bruising
- Numbness in the fingers
- Pain when bending elbow or rotating forearm
Broken elbows can result in closed or open (through the skin) fractures. While some minor elbow fractures can be treated with a splint to hold the bones in place while they heal, many broken elbows require surgery. Bone fragments may need to be removed and bones repaired through open reduction. Open fractures of the elbow should be surgically fixed as quickly as possible to avoid infection or other complications.
Jonathan Glashow, MD, Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine is one of the few orthopedic surgery facilities that offer a same day diagnosis, consultation and treatment (surgery) in New York City. We offer immediate care for serious orthopedic injuries, including elbow fracture treatment. If you need expert orthopedic care for a broken elbow, contact our team for an urgent office visit. Our orthopedic specialists are available for night and weekend appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elbow Fractures
What is an olecranon fracture?
The olecranon is the bony tip of the elbow — the prominent point you feel when you rest your elbow on a table. It is the upper end of the ulna and serves as the attachment point for the triceps tendon, which is responsible for straightening the arm. An olecranon fracture occurs when this bone breaks, usually from a direct fall onto the elbow or a hard blow during contact sports. Because the olecranon sits just beneath the skin with very little cushioning, it is the most common site of elbow fractures in adults.
How can I tell if my elbow is broken?
A broken elbow typically causes sudden, severe pain at the tip or back of the elbow, rapid swelling and bruising, difficulty bending or straightening the arm, and in some cases numbness or tingling in the fingers if the ulnar nerve is affected. With displaced fractures, you may be able to feel a gap or irregularity in the bone through the skin. Because some non-displaced cracks produce symptoms similar to a severe bruise, Dr. Glashow recommends X-rays for any elbow injury involving significant pain and loss of motion.
Do all broken elbows require surgery?
No. Stable, non-displaced olecranon fractures — where the bone is cracked but the fragments remain in proper alignment and the patient can still extend the arm against gravity — can sometimes be treated with a splint for immobilization followed by a structured rehabilitation program. However, the majority of olecranon fractures involve some degree of displacement because the pulling force of the triceps tendon tends to separate the fragments. When fragments are displaced, when the fracture extends into the joint surface, or when multiple pieces are involved, surgical repair is needed to restore proper alignment and elbow function.
What does elbow fracture surgery involve?
The most common surgical approach for olecranon fractures is open reduction and internal fixation, in which Dr. Glashow realigns the bone fragments and secures them using pins, wires, plates, screws, or a combination — depending on the fracture pattern. For comminuted fractures where the bone has shattered into very small fragments, excision of the damaged bone with reattachment of the triceps tendon may be necessary. Surgery is performed at Midtown Surgery Center, a state-of-the-art outpatient facility with one of the lowest infection rates in New York.
What is the difference between a closed and open elbow fracture?
A closed fracture means the bone is broken but the skin remains intact. An open fracture — also called a compound fracture — occurs when the broken bone pierces through the skin, creating a wound that exposes the bone to bacteria and significantly increases the risk of infection. Open elbow fractures are surgical emergencies that require prompt irrigation, debridement, and fixation to prevent infection and protect the joint. Dr. Glashow’s practice offers 24/7 emergency availability for exactly these types of urgent injuries.
How long does it take to recover from a broken elbow?
Recovery depends on the severity of the fracture and whether surgery was required. Non-surgical fractures typically need four to six weeks of immobilization before beginning physical therapy. Surgical cases often allow earlier, supervised motion — sometimes within the first week — because the hardware provides immediate stability. Elbow stiffness is one of the most common complications after any elbow fracture, which is why early, guided motion under the direction of a physical therapist is essential. Most patients regain functional range of motion within two to three months, with a full return to sports or demanding activity within four to six months. Dr. Glashow monitors healing closely with follow-up imaging and adjusts each patient’s rehabilitation timeline accordingly.
