If you’ve recently suffered an elbow injury, it can be difficult to know when it’s time to seek medical attention. While in some cases, minor elbow injuries can heal on their own at home, at other times, you need professional medical intervention. Your body will usually give you signs that it’s time to entrust your elbow to more capable hands, like an orthopedic doctor.
In this article, we will discuss the symptoms of an elbow injury needing a doctor’s intervention.
Persistent Pain
If the pain in your elbow persists despite applying home treatments, it may be more severe than you think. Pain is associated with any injury, but it should begin to improve with rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Pain that worsens or does not go away should be checked out by a doctor.
Continued Swelling
Swelling around the elbow joint is usually an indication of inflammation, which can be a result of the injury. Along with the pain, swelling should also begin to improve a few days after starting conservative treatment. Elbow swelling that worsens or persists indicates a more serious injury requiring the treatment of a medical professional.
Limited Mobility
If you have a limited range of motion in your elbow, or if you are unable to straighten it, it may be time to visit the doctor. You could have dislocated your elbow joint or sustained a fracture in one of the bones in your elbow. Both should be treated by an orthopedic doctor.
Visible Deformity
If there appears to be a visible deformity in the elbow area, it is a possible sign of an elbow fracture. If a fracture-induced deformity is visible, it is usually a severe fracture, which should be treated by an orthopedist who can provide specialized care for such broken bones.
Unusual Symptoms
A mild elbow injury that can resolve at home usually is not accompanied by unusual symptoms. If you are experiencing numbness or tingling, you could have a nerve injury, which again, should be evaluated by a doctor.
Fever
A fever is indicative of an infection. Developing a fever after an elbow injury is a reason for concern. It usually causes redness and increased swelling in the injured area. Infection can be serious, carries serious risks, and may need to be treated in a hospital if it is neglected in the beginning.
It is not recommended that patients treat elbow injuries at home. Applying first-aid is okay, but it should still be checked out by an orthopedic doctor, so you receive appropriate treatment for your elbow injury, if needed.
Elbow Injury Treatment in Maryland
The orthopedic hand surgeons at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder provide a range of non-surgical and surgical treatment options for patients with elbow injuries. We recommend that you see us as soon as possible after sustaining an injury, especially if you have been unable to work or play sports because of it.
Our doctors are fellowship trained in sports medicine and are knowledgeable in the Maryland workers’ compensation system. You can trust that you will be seen by an experienced hand surgeon in any of our locations. To schedule an appointment, call our office today at (410) 296-6232 or use our convenient online request form.
