Elbow injury: discharge advice

You have been treated for an elbow injury. This leaflet explains how to look after your elbow at home.

What is the treatment for elbow injuries?

Elbow injuries often cause swelling, bruising, reduced movement and pain. The treatment of your injury involves reducing these symptoms. You may want to take some painkillers such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen (if you have no allergies or sensitivities to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

If you are already taking medicines from your doctor please consult a pharmacist before taking any over the counter medicines.

Advice during the first 24 hours

  • To reduce pain and swelling, apply an ice pack, this can be crushed ice or frozen peas wrapped in a damp towel and applied to the elbow for approximately 10 minutes at a time, every 2-3 hours.
  • You need to rest your arm during this period and will probably have been given a broad arm sling, to support your arm. If you are sitting, you can rest your arm on a pillow instead of using the sling. Keep your hand, wrist, shoulder and neck mobile or they can become stiff.

Advice after the 24 hours

It is very important to start exercising the injured elbow to prevent stiffness. The exercises need to be performed slowly, it may cause discomfort but if really painful stop. They should be performed 6 to 8 times a day during the day.

  • Sitting at a normal table, put your hand on a cloth that will slide on the table. Keeping your shoulder still, slide your hand forward gradually straightening the elbow, then slide back towards the body resulting in bending your elbow. Repeat up to 10 times.
  • Rest your injured elbow in the palm of your opposite hand. Slowly bend and straighten your elbow as far as possible. Repeat up to 10 times.
  • Tuck your elbow in to your side. Turn your palm up and then down. Repeat 10 times.

Ongoing Treatment

Resume light activities and reduce the period of time you wear the sling. Avoid heavy lifting or racquet sports until your elbow feels supple, strong and pain free. This leaflet gives general advice only.

It may take 6-8 weeks for you to regain full movement. Full straightening is often the slowest to return and may always remain restricted. If you are concerned of if your symptoms fail to improve, please contact your GP.

How to get in touch

  • If you are still in pain after this then please discuss your follow up care with your GP.
  • If you are very concerned then you may attend the A and E department however at this time we advise that you do this only if you are very concerned and it is an emergency. The A and E department will be occupied with patients requiring lifesaving treatment and it is important to allow these patients to access the care they need