When you break your elbow, it’s important to take the right steps for recovery. The healing process can take time, but proper rehabilitation helps you regain full use of your arm. If you’re dealing with pain, swelling, or difficulty straightening your arm, it’s normal, but these issues need attention.
In this guide, we’ll talk about common problems like swollen hands, curved hands after surgery, and the importance of good care.
Understanding Elbow Fractures and Surgery
Elbow fractures can happen in different ways, and each type requires specific treatment. The most common types include:
- Simple fractures where the bone cracks but doesn’t move.
- Comminuted fractures where the bone breaks into several pieces.
- Displaced fractures where the bone moves out of its normal position.
Treatment for these fractures might include:
- Casting to hold the bone in place.
- Surgery to fix the bone with screws, plates, or rods.
After surgery, it’s normal for the hand or arm to be in a different position. Sometimes, the hand might stay curved or stiff because of the way the surgery was performed or because the arm needs time to heal. Proper care is essential to help your arm and hand return to their natural position.
Swelling After a Broken Elbow
Swelling is a common problem after any bone injury, including elbow fractures. When you break your elbow, the body sends extra blood to the injured area to heal the bone. This can cause the hand and arm to swell. Swelling might last for a few days to a few weeks after the injury, but it usually reduces as the healing progresses.
However, swelling can make your hand feel stiff and heavy, and it can affect your ability to move your fingers or straighten your arm. This is because the extra fluid around the joint can limit movement. If swelling isn’t managed properly, it can also cause discomfort and slow down your recovery.
Curved Hand Post-Surgery: Causes and Solutions
After surgery, it’s common for the hand to remain curved for a while. This can happen for several reasons:
- Healing Process: The muscles and tendons around the elbow may stiffen or become tight during recovery. This can cause your hand to stay in a curved position even though the bones have healed.
- Surgery Positioning: Sometimes, after surgery, the arm or hand is placed in a certain position for proper healing. This position can cause the hand to curve temporarily, especially if the surgery involved fixing the elbow joint.
- Mistreatment or Ignorance: If the arm isn’t moved or exercised correctly after surgery, this can lead to a curved hand. Ignoring the doctor’s advice on rehabilitation, not doing recommended stretches or exercises, or putting pressure on the hand too soon can make the problem worse.
How to Address Hand Curvature and Correct Positioning
To fix the curved hand after surgery, follow these steps:
- Physical Therapy: Work with a physical therapist to gently stretch and strengthen the muscles around the elbow and hand.
- Exercise: Gradually practice straightening the arm and hand. Simple exercises can help reduce the curve and improve flexibility.
- Use a Splint or Brace: Your doctor may recommend a splint or brace to help keep the hand in a more natural position during the healing process.
The Healing Process and Its Impact on Straightening the Arm
During the recovery from an elbow fracture, the body goes through different stages of healing. It can take weeks to months to fully recover, and each stage affects how your arm moves.
- Inflammation Stage (First few days): Immediately after an injury or surgery, the body works to reduce swelling and protect the injured area. This stage can make the arm feel stiff, and you may not be able to straighten it fully.
- Repair Stage (1-3 weeks): The bone begins to heal, and the swelling starts to go down. During this stage, gentle movement may be possible, but it can still be painful. This is when your doctor or physical therapist might start guiding you through exercises.
- Remodeling Stage (3 weeks to several months): The bone continues to heal, and the muscles and joints regain strength. This is the stage where most of your movement will improve, and you will work on straightening your arm and hand.
Timeline and Stages of Elbow Recovery
- Week 1-2: Rest and initial healing; focus on reducing swelling.
- Week 3-6: Begin gentle movement and basic physical therapy exercises.
- Month 2-3: More active rehabilitation and strength-building exercises.
- Month 4 and beyond: Continued improvement in arm movement and flexibility; full recovery for some patients can take up to 6 months.
When Should You Start Straightening Your Arm?
Starting to straighten your arm after a broken elbow is an important step in recovery, but timing is key. You should only start this process when your doctor or physical therapist gives you the go-ahead. Trying to straighten your arm too early can cause more harm than good.
Physical Therapy and Doctor Recommendations
Physical therapy plays a huge role in restoring movement and strength in your arm. After an elbow fracture, a physical therapist will guide you through exercises designed to:
- Improve flexibility.
- Increase strength in the muscles around the elbow.
- Help you regain full range of motion.
Your doctor will usually recommend physical therapy after your fracture has started healing, which could be anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months after surgery or injury. Always follow the guidance of your healthcare provider, as they will know the best time for you to begin exercises.
Signs that It’s Safe to Begin Exercises
Here are a few signs that it’s safe to start straightening your arm:
- Reduced Swelling: If the swelling around your elbow and hand has gone down significantly, it may be safe to start moving your arm.
- Pain-Free Movement: If you can move your arm without severe pain or discomfort, you may be ready to begin gentle exercises.
- Doctor’s Approval: Your doctor should give you specific guidance on when to start and how to proceed. If they say it’s time, then you can start exercises slowly.
- No Signs of Infection or Complications: If your incision site from surgery has healed properly and there are no signs of infection, you can begin your exercises.
Step-by-Step Guide to Straightening Your Arm
When you’re ready to start straightening your arm, it’s important to follow a safe and gradual approach. Here’s a simple guide:
Initial Range of Motion Exercises
Start with gentle exercises to improve your range of motion. These exercises will help loosen the muscles and tendons around your elbow without causing strain:
- Elbow Flexion and Extension: Gently bend and straighten your elbow as much as possible without causing pain. Do this slowly, increasing the range as your arm becomes more flexible.
- Wrist Circles: Move your wrist in small circles to loosen up your hand and forearm.
- Active-Assisted Range of Motion: You can use your other hand to gently help straighten your elbow or bend it back into position.
Techniques for Improving Elbow Flexibility and Straightening the Arm
Once you’ve built up some initial flexibility, you can use more targeted techniques to improve elbow straightening:
- Wall Slides: Stand facing a wall, place your hands on it, and slowly slide your hands up the wall to help straighten your elbow. This will also help stretch your shoulder muscles.
- Towel Stretch: Hold a towel behind your back with both hands. Use your good arm to gently pull the towel and stretch the injured arm’s elbow.
- Grip Exercises: Squeeze a soft tennis ball or stress ball to build strength in your hand and forearm, which will help with straightening the arm.
- Elbow Extension Stretch: While sitting, place your hand on a table or surface, and gently push down on your hand to straighten your arm fully. Hold the position for 20-30 seconds.
Go Slow: Never rush the process. If you feel any sharp pain, stop and talk to your doctor.
Be Consistent: Perform these exercises regularly, but don’t overdo it. A few minutes each day should be enough in the beginning.
Rest and Recovery: Give your arm time to rest and heal between exercises. Don’t push through pain.
Common Challenges in Recovery: Pain, Swelling, and Curved Hands
Recovering from an elbow fracture and surgery can be challenging, especially when dealing with pain, swelling, and a curved hand. Let’s look at how to manage these challenges during the healing process.
Pain Management Strategies
Pain is a common issue after a broken elbow, whether you’ve had surgery or not. Here are some strategies to manage pain:
- Medications: Your doctor may recommend pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. In some cases, stronger painkillers may be prescribed for the first few days after surgery.
- Cold Compress: Applying an ice pack to your elbow can help reduce pain and swelling. Make sure to use a towel or cloth between the ice and your skin to avoid frostbite.
- Elevation: Keep your arm raised above heart level as much as possible to help reduce swelling and prevent excess pressure on the elbow.
- Gentle Movements: Avoid moving your arm too much or too forcefully. Gentle exercises, as recommended by your doctor or physical therapist, can help reduce pain over time.
Overcoming Stiffness and Swelling
Swelling and stiffness can be major challenges after an elbow injury. Here’s how to manage them:
- Range of Motion Exercises: Once the swelling has reduced, start doing gentle stretching exercises to improve the flexibility of your arm and elbow.
- Compression Bandage: Wearing a compression bandage (as advised by your doctor) can help prevent excessive swelling and improve blood flow to the area.
- Heat Therapy: After the initial swelling has gone down (usually after the first few days), using a warm compress or heating pad can help relax the muscles around the elbow and reduce stiffness.
Fixing the Curved Hand Posture
If your hand remains curved after surgery, don’t worry—it’s a common issue. Here’s how to fix it:
- Stretching Exercises: Perform gentle stretching exercises to improve flexibility in your wrist and fingers. Start slow and build up over time.
- Use a Splint: In some cases, your doctor may recommend a splint to help hold the hand in a straight position while it heals. This will also prevent your hand from remaining in a curved position.
- Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can show you specific exercises to help straighten your hand and improve flexibility in the fingers and wrist. Consistency is key.
Do’s and Don’ts During Recovery
Recovering from a broken elbow takes time, patience, and the right approach. Here’s a guide to help you get through the recovery process more smoothly.
Dos: Gentle Stretches, Proper Rest, Patience
- Gentle Stretches: Start with small, gentle stretches that don’t cause pain. This will help keep your arm flexible and prevent stiffness. Focus on movements that slowly increase your range of motion.
- Proper Rest: Your elbow and hand need time to heal. Make sure you give your arm plenty of rest, especially during the early stages of recovery.
- Patience: Recovery takes time, so be patient with yourself. It’s normal for progress to be slow, but as long as you’re doing the right exercises and following your doctor’s advice, you’ll improve over time.
Don’ts: Ignoring Pain, Overexerting the Arm, Improper Handling of the Wrist/Hand
- Ignoring Pain: Don’t push through pain. If you feel sharp or intense pain, stop what you’re doing and consult your doctor. Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong.
- Overexerting the Arm: Avoid using your arm too much too soon. Even if your arm starts to feel better, don’t overexert it, as this can slow down recovery and cause reinjury.
- Improper Handling of the Wrist/Hand: Be careful not to twist or bend your wrist and hand in unnatural ways. Using your hand too much or incorrectly can lead to more complications, such as the hand staying curved or stiffness developing.
Treatment Opportunities in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, there are many treatment options available for elbow fractures, whether through private hospitals, government healthcare systems, or specialized clinics.
Leading hospitals like Medinova Medical Services, Evercare Hospital, United Hospital, and Square Hospitals offer high-quality care with specialized orthopedic doctors and rehabilitation services. Additionally, many physical therapy centers and orthopedic clinics can help with recovery by providing post-surgery rehab, pain management, and physical therapy.
It’s important to choose a healthcare provider who specializes in bone fractures and elbow surgery to ensure the best outcome for your recovery.
When to Seek Medical Help
While most cases of elbow fractures can be managed with proper treatment and rehabilitation, there are certain situations where you should seek medical help immediately:
Signs of Mistreatment or Complications That Require Further Intervention
- Severe Pain: If you experience extreme or sharp pain that doesn’t improve with rest or pain medication, it may indicate a complication like infection or incorrect bone alignment.
- Increased Swelling: If swelling in your elbow or hand worsens significantly, it could mean the healing process is not progressing as expected, or there could be an infection.
- Inability to Straighten Your Arm: If after a reasonable period of rehabilitation you cannot straighten your arm or hand, there could be an underlying issue such as tendon or ligament damage.
- Fever or Redness: If your incision site is red, warm to the touch, or you develop a fever, this could be a sign of infection, which requires immediate medical attention.
- Numbness or Tingling: If you experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hand or arm, it might suggest nerve damage, which should be addressed by a doctor.
If any of these symptoms occur, it’s essential to consult your doctor or healthcare provider as soon as possible to avoid further complications and ensure a proper recovery.
Conclusion
Recovering from a broken elbow can be challenging, but with the right care, treatment, and patience, you can regain full use of your arm. Here’s a quick recap of what you can do to ensure a successful rehabilitation process:
Use pain management strategies like medication, ice packs, and elevation. Perform exercises and stretches to improve flexibility and reduce stiffness.
Follow physical therapy recommendations, perform regular stretches, and use splints if necessary to improve hand positioning. Understand that healing takes time. Stick to your doctor’s or therapist’s advice and gradually increase your arm’s movement.
