Do fractured elbows always require surgery?

Written by: Professor Roger van Riet
Published: | Updated: 19/04/2023
Edited by: Emma McLeod

Undergoing the right treatment is critical for avoiding poor function of the elbow after an elbow fracture. Fortunately, specialists such as Professor Roger Van Riet, are available to guide you on when surgery is the best treatment for your elbow fracture.

A woman checking her injured and painful elbow


What causes an elbow fracture?

Elbow fractures are often caused by a fall on the outstretched hand, but direct trauma to the elbow is also possible.


What are the different types of elbow fractures?

The elbow joint has three bones:

  1. The radius
  2. The ulna
  3. The humerus

All three bones can fracture separately but often, more than one bone at the elbow fractures at the same time. A special type of fracture is fracture-dislocation, where there is a fracture of one or more bones combined with ligamentous injury, causing the elbow to dislocate.

 

What are the signs and symptoms of an elbow fracture?

The elbow is often swollen, and it will be difficult and painful to bend and straighten the elbow. Sometimes, this does not occur immediately but can occur over a period of half an hour after the fall.

 

In severe cases, the elbow will look distorted and it will not be possible to move the elbow at all.



How is an elbow fracture treated?

Treatment depends on the type of fracture and the displacement of the fragments. Non-displaced radial head fractures are treated conservatively (meaning without surgery) with a sling and immediate mobilization. Ulna and humerus fractures almost always require surgery.


When might surgery become necessary?

Elbow fractures and especially elbow fracture-dislocations often require surgery. The elbow is prone to stiffness and prolonged immobilisation in a plaster will lead to poor functional results.

 

The goal of surgery is two-fold.

  1. Firstly, any displaced fragments are reduced back into place.
  2. Secondly, fragments are fixed securely so that the elbow becomes stable again and can be moved immediately after surgery. This is important to decrease the chance of stiffness.

 

The elbow can become stiff even after the best surgery, but this is more common if a stable fixation is not achieved during surgery. Therefore, it’s important that the surgeon is experienced in treating these injuries to obtain the best result. ​

 

Professor Roger Van Riet is highly trained and skilled in the management of elbow injuries. Book an appointment with him today via his Top Doctors profile. 

By Professor Roger van Riet
Orthopaedic surgery

Professor Roger van Riet is a leading orthopaedic elbow surgeon in London who specialises in elbow arthroscopy, sports injuriesfractures, dislocations, instability and arthritis related to the elbow. He has treated elbow injuries in many international athletes, including Olympic and world champions. He is well recognised for the development of his technique to repair and reconstruct the unstable elbow as well as tendon repairs around the elbow.

Professor van Riet received his degree in medicine from the University of Antwerp in 2001. Prior to this he completed a bachelor in physiotherapy in Eindhoven, the Netherlands and worked as a physiotherapist in the Netherlands, Germany and the UK.

He was a research fellow at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN until 2002, which is when he started his orthopaedic training at the University of Antwerp. In 2004, Professor van Riet completed his PhD on the radial head performed at the Mayo Clinic and the University of Antwerp. Professor van Riet was an upper extremity fellow at Monash University in Melbourne in 2005 and at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in 2006 and again at the Mayo Clinic in 2008. After this Professor van Riet started work as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, specializing in elbow surgery.

Professor van Riet also works at the world renowned Orthopaedic Center Antwerp of AZ Monica and is a visiting professor at the University Hospital Antwerp. He has published more than 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals and contributed to more than 50 book chapters. He has presented more than 500 times on elbow topics in international conferences in 30 countries.

He was the president of the Belgian Elbow and Shoulder Society, chair of the rehab committee and executive member of the board of the European Shoulder and Elbow Society. 

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