Elbow injury after a fall: when should I get it checked?
This page provides general health information and does not replace assessment by a health professional. If you are unsure what care is needed, Shorecare can assess your injury. Call 111 in an emergency
Elbow injuries are common after falls, sports injuries, workplace injuries, bike or scooter accidents, direct knocks, or landing on an outstretched hand. Some elbow injuries are simple sprains, bruises or strains that improve with support and time. Others may involve a broken bone, dislocation, ligament injury, tendon injury, wound, or injury around the forearm or upper arm.
It can be difficult to tell how serious an elbow injury is without an assessment. Pain, swelling and bruising are common, but symptoms such as being unable to fully straighten or bend the elbow, deformity, numbness, weakness, severe pain, or pain after a fall can suggest a more significant injury.
Shorecare can assess elbow injuries, including sprains, suspected fractures, dislocations, sports injuries, falls and workplace injuries. If an X-ray is needed, our team can help arrange this. When clinically appropriate, many of our nurses can request X-rays at triage, which means imaging may be started before you are seen by a doctor or nurse specialist.
Seek urgent help immediately if:
There has been major trauma, such as a serious fall, vehicle accident, or crush injury.
The person is very unwell, faint, confused, drowsy, pale, clammy, or has severe pain.
There is a bone sticking out, a badly deformed elbow or arm, or heavy bleeding.
The hand or fingers are cold, blue, numb, very weak, or the pain is rapidly worsening.
There is a serious open wound, crush injury, or concern about damage to blood vessels, nerves or deeper structures.
An elbow injury should be checked if:
You cannot fully straighten or bend the elbow.
You have significant pain, swelling, bruising, deformity, or weakness.
The elbow looks out of place or feels like it has popped out.
There is numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain going down the arm into the hand.
There is pain over the elbow bone, forearm, upper arm, or around the joint.
The injury happened after a fall, sport, work injury, bike or scooter accident, direct blow, twist, or crush injury.
You landed on your hand, elbow, or outstretched arm.
A child is refusing to use their arm or is very distressed after an elbow injury.
There is a wound, puncture injury, bite, or concern about something being stuck in the skin.
The pain or swelling is not improving after a day or two, or symptoms are getting worse.
Is it an elbow sprain, dislocation or fracture?
A sprain or strain involves injury to ligaments, muscles or tendons around the elbow. A dislocation means the elbow joint has moved out of place. A fracture means there is a broken bone, such as a fracture near the elbow, forearm, or upper arm.
These injuries can cause similar symptoms, including pain, swelling, bruising, weakness and difficulty moving the arm. An assessment can help decide whether an X-ray, sling, support, splint, referral, rehabilitation guidance, or follow-up care is needed.
Do I need an X-ray for an elbow injury?
Not every elbow injury needs an X-ray. A clinician will usually ask what happened, examine the elbow, forearm and upper arm, check movement, look for swelling or deformity, and assess whether there are signs of a fracture, dislocation, or other significant injury.
An X-ray may be recommended if there is concern about a broken bone, dislocation, or another bony injury.
What about tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow?
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are usually overuse injuries rather than sudden injuries. They can cause elbow pain with gripping, lifting, twisting, sport, or repeated work tasks.
This article is mainly about acute elbow injuries after a fall, knock, twist, dislocation, or accident. However, if elbow pain is not improving, is affecting work or sport, or started after an injury, Shorecare can assess the elbow and advise on the next steps.
Why should an elbow injury be assessed early?
Elbow injuries can affect lifting, gripping, work, sport, driving and everyday activities. A poorly managed elbow injury can lead to ongoing pain, stiffness, weakness, reduced movement, or delayed return to activity.
Stiffness can be a particular problem after elbow injuries, especially if the injury is more significant or movement is restricted for too long.
Getting the right treatment early can help recovery and reduce the risk of longer-term problems. Depending on the injury, treatment may include a sling, support, splint, pain relief advice, imaging, rehabilitation guidance, referral for specialist care, or follow-up review.
What should I do before coming in?
Rest the injured elbow and arm.
Use a sling or support if this is comfortable.
Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for short periods.
Keep the arm raised if possible.
Remove rings, watches or tight jewellery if there is swelling in the hand or arm.
Use simple pain relief like paracetamol if you can take it safely.
Avoid lifting, pushing, pulling, sport, or heavy use of the arm until it has been assessed.
Do not try to “pop” the elbow back in yourself if it looks or feels out of place.
Do not force the elbow to straighten or bend if it is very painful.
How Shorecare can help
Shorecare can assess elbow injuries, including sprains, suspected fractures, dislocations, sports injuries, workplace injuries and falls.
Depending on the injury, care may include clinical assessment, X-ray through our radiology partner Canopy Imaging, pain relief advice, a sling, strapping, splinting, plastering, ACC documentation, referral for hospital or specialist care, or follow-up orthopaedic/fracture clinic review.
When clinically appropriate, many of our nurses can request X-rays at triage, so imaging may be started before you are seen by a doctor or nurse specialist.
If the elbow injury is more serious, Shorecare can assess and stabilise you and arrange transfer to hospital by ambulance if needed.
If you are unsure whether your elbow injury needs medical care, we are here to provide a full assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Can I come to Shorecare for an elbow injury?
Yes. Shorecare can assess elbow injuries, including sprains, suspected fractures, dislocations, sports injuries, workplace injuries and falls.
Do I need an X-ray for an elbow injury?
Not every elbow injury needs an X-ray. A clinician will assess what happened, where the pain is, how the elbow and arm are moving, and whether there are signs of fracture, dislocation or another significant injury.
Should I get checked if I cannot straighten my elbow?
Yes. If you cannot fully straighten or bend the elbow after an injury, or if the elbow is very painful, swollen, weak, numb, or looks out of place, it is sensible to get checked.
What should I do if my elbow looks dislocated?
Do not try to put it back in yourself. Keep the arm supported and seek urgent medical assessment. If there is numbness, weakness, severe pain, a cold or blue hand, or the person is very unwell, call 111 or go directly to the emergency department.
Can Shorecare help with ACC elbow injuries?
Yes. Shorecare can assess and treat ACC elbow injuries, including sports injuries, workplace injuries, falls, sprains, suspected fractures and dislocations.
When should an elbow injury go to hospital?
Call 111 or go directly to the emergency department if there has been major trauma, a bone is sticking out, there is heavy bleeding, the hand or fingers are cold, blue or numb, the pain is rapidly worsening, or the person is very unwell.