Elbow Injuries: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Chest pain: Go to the topic Chest Pain.
• Bleeding: Go to the topic Cuts or Puncture Wounds.
• Bruises: Go to the topic Bruises.
• Elbow problems not related to an injury: Go to the topic Elbow Problems, Noninjury.

Yes

Is your elbow twisted, bent out of shape, or out of its normal position?

Yes

Do you have elbow pain or tenderness?

Yes

Is your hand, wrist, or forearm pale, white, blue, or cold?

Yes

Do you have numbness or tingling in or below the elbow?

Yes

Are you unable to move your elbow normally?

Yes

Do you have swelling in or around the elbow?

Yes

Do you feel or hear a snap or pop in your elbow?

Yes

Do you have any signs of infection in your elbow?

Yes

Are you concerned that an elbow injury may have been caused by abuse of a child or vulnerable adult?

Yes

Is your elbow bruised?

Yes

Do you know or think you need a tetanus shot?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• A burn: Go to the topic Burns.
• A cut: Go to the topic Cuts.
• A scrape: Go to the topic Scrapes.
• A bite: Go to the topic Animal and Human Bites
• A puncture wound: Go to the topic Puncture Wounds.
• Finger, hand, or wrist injury: Go to the topic Finger, Hand, and Wrist Injuries.
• Shoulder injury: Go to the topic Shoulder Problems and Injuries.
• Arm problems: Go to the topic Arm Problems, Noninjury.
• Arm injury: Go to the topic Arm Injuries.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

Last updated:	April 03, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer