Elbow Injuries: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Do you have elbow pain or tenderness?

See significance of pain or tenderness if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

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

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do you have severe pain?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Do you have pain with swelling or bruising that began within 30 minutes of an injury?

Yes

Do you have moderate pain that is getting worse?

Yes

Is a young child unable or unwilling to use his or her arm?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do you have moderate pain that has not gotten better after 24 hours of home treatment?

You need an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you had mild pain that comes and goes with no other symptoms for 1 week or longer?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

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