Fractures of the elbow usually occur in automobile accidents because the driver is holding onto the steering wheel or a passenger puts his arm out to brace himself during the crash.  In a slip & fall the injury is usually with the person putting out their arm to brake the fall.  The following are names of common elbow fractures:

• Distal humerus fracture
• Proximal ulna fracture
• Olecranon (elbow) fracture
• Radial head fracture
• Fracture of both the radius & ulnar
• Monteggia fracture

Terrible triad in elbow injury

The terrible triad happens when there is a fracture of the radial head, the coronoid process of the ulna, which allows the humerus to dislocate. This is a serious injury, with a whole host of complications including nerve injury and heterotopic ossification.

Additional complications associated with fractures of the elbow include:

• Blood vessel injury
• Nerve damage
• Loss of motion or fusion of the joint
• Deformity of the joint

If you have any questions about an elbow fracture following an accident, call us now at (219) 874-4878.