Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Arm and Elbow Injuries
Number of Conditions: 3
Humeral shaft fracture
Specialty: Trauma and Injuries
Category: Upper Extremity Injuries
Sub-category: Arm and Elbow Injuries
Symptoms:
pain in the upper arm; swelling; bruising; difficulty moving the arm; visible deformity; crepitus (grating sensation) at the fracture site
Root Cause:
Break or crack along the diaphysis (shaft) of the humerus bone, often caused by direct trauma or a twisting injury.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, X-rays to confirm fracture type and location, CT scan for complex fractures.
Treatment:
Immobilization with a brace or splint, surgical fixation with plates and screws or intramedullary nails for unstable fractures.
Medications:
Pain relief using NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen , diclofenac ) or opioids (e.g., tramadol ) for severe pain. Muscle relaxants may also be prescribed for associated muscle spasms.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Accounts for approximately 3-5% of all fractures.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-energy trauma (e.g., car accidents), falls, osteoporosis, pathological fractures due to cancer or infections.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good in most cases with proper treatment; union typically occurs within 8-12 weeks.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Radial nerve palsy, malunion, nonunion, infection (if surgical treatment is used).
Supracondylar fracture
Specialty: Trauma and Injuries
Category: Upper Extremity Injuries
Sub-category: Arm and Elbow Injuries
Symptoms:
swelling around the elbow; pain and tenderness; inability to straighten the arm; bruising; visible deformity
Root Cause:
Fracture at the distal humerus just above the elbow joint, often caused by a fall on an outstretched hand.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, X-rays, Doppler ultrasound or angiography to assess vascular involvement in severe cases.
Treatment:
Closed reduction and casting for non-displaced fractures, surgical pinning (percutaneous pinning) for displaced fractures.
Medications:
NSAIDs for pain relief (e.g., ibuprofen ), acetaminophen for mild pain, and antibiotics if surgery is performed to prevent infection.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Most common elbow fracture in children, particularly between ages 5-10.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Falls, particularly during play or sports, or weak bone development.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with timely treatment; healing typically occurs within 4-6 weeks in children.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Vascular injury (brachial artery), nerve injury, compartment syndrome, cubitus varus deformity (gunstock deformity).
Elbow dislocation
Specialty: Trauma and Injuries
Category: Upper Extremity Injuries
Sub-category: Arm and Elbow Injuries
Symptoms:
intense pain; swelling; inability to bend or straighten the elbow; visible deformity; numbness or tingling in the hand
Root Cause:
Displacement of the bones in the elbow joint, often caused by a fall on an outstretched hand or high-energy trauma.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, X-rays to confirm dislocation, MRI or CT if associated fractures or soft tissue injuries are suspected.
Treatment:
Closed reduction under sedation for simple dislocations, surgical repair for complex dislocations or associated fractures.
Medications:
Pain management with NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen , naproxen ), opioids (e.g., morphine ) for severe pain, and muscle relaxants if needed.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Elbow dislocations are the second most common large joint dislocation after shoulder dislocations.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Sports injuries, falls, and motor vehicle accidents.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally favorable with early reduction and rehabilitation; recovery occurs within 6-12 weeks.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Joint stiffness, ligament damage, recurrent dislocations, vascular or nerve injuries, arthritis in chronic cases.