Fractured elbow??

[AnneLister]

Went out last night, got a bit tipsy and managed to trip over my own feet 🙄 I landed hard on my elbow. Didn't really feel anything at the time.

Woke up this morning and there's a big lump right on the bone and it's painful to move. The pain also extends down my arm and the nerves feel a bit funny too. I can't describe it, like a bit pins and needles-y?!

REALLY don't want to waste anyone's time, but should it be looked at?? Or shall I just fashion myself a sling and see how it is in a couple of days?

I think this is the sort of thing that the minor injuries clinic is for? Then you won't waste A&E time unless the clinic thinks it's serious.

That's exactly how my elbow felt when I fractured it (several times)

There's no minor injuries around us. It's A&E or nothing (GP services aside). What's the treatment for a fractured elbow anyway?

If you don’t have a minor injuries place or urgent care centre or whatever they call it then A&e it is. You can either rest it (rest ice comfy support elevation, maybe in a sling) for a bit today + painkillers and see if it improves or go to a&e now. Only you know how bad it feels.

If it's terrible fracture it could need surgery to make sure you still have full mobility in that elbow rest of your life. Saturday midday not so bad a time to go. Do you think it will get completely better on its own?

I could imagine waiting 2 days if I could just as easily go on Monday to get it Xrayed.

I think you should go for this one OP, hope you're ok

OP a fractured elbow is a nasty thing and as PP said could warrant surgery. You’re not wasting anyone’s time, you have an injury and a possible broken bone it’s what they’re there for. Hope you feel better

You need an Xray. There are 3 major nerves around the elbow that are vulnerable to injury with elbow fractures/dislocations. Major dysfunction can be the outcome if not appopriately managed

This is an A+E job

I fractured my radial head on my elbow last December. I stupidly didn't get it checked for two weeks. I'm still suffering with ulnar nerve damage and other problems. 10 months of pain and not being able to use your arm is shit. Go to A+E. I've had months of physiotherapy and is very slowly improving.

A&E
Also if left and it does need surgery it makes it hard going for the surgeon to rebuild, better sorted sooner.

Doesn't always make surgery harder if left.
That's why they often xray a 2nd time a week after original injury, to make sure nothing has shifted, and b/c surgery is still possible.

let us know what you do, OP?

You need to go to A&E. As previous posters have said there are nerves that go through your elbow and the fact you're having pins and needles could mean they're trapped. I currently have a family member with an elbow break who needed surgery and wires to hold it in place. They have a cast from their armpit to knuckles which is a total pain so fingers crossed yours is not broken.

Definitely A&E!

Absolutely worth an A&E visit. It’s from an accident! Yes minor injuries with an X-ray would be the ideal but if you don’t have that facility (neither do we) then yes, A&E is appropriate. I’d go, the sooner the better before the football injuries start rolling in.

I'd go to A&E. I fractured my elbow and the treatment was just putting it in a sling for 6 weeks and prescribing anti inflammatory drugs. Can you bend and straighten it OK? Hope you had a good night apart from that!

I fractured my elbow many years ago in a similar incident. No surgery or cast just sling and anti-inflammatories. It was incredibly painful.
Definitely one for A&E. I left mine for a couple of days thinking it would be ok.

A and E is for accidents and emergencies. You have had an accident which may have resulted in a fracture. So yes, it is the right place to go especially as you have no minor injuries department.

I was wrong - we do have a minor injuries unit nearby! I thought it had closed down years ago. Anyway, I went - I was the ONLY person there!- x-ray done, nothing broken - phew! It's bloody painful though!

yeah, soft tissue injuries can be much more painful & take much longer to heal than breaks. Take care of yourself.

Walk in centres are so good. Our nearest never has a wait, you’re in and out in under an hour, it’s fabulous!
If only more people used them. The fact you didn’t know it was still open is such a shame, I’m sure there are so many sitting in A&E that could be there instead.

Glad to hear it's not broken, hope the pain goes away soon.