Olecranon stress fractures
An olecranon stress fracture is a hairline crack in the bony tip of the elbow, located at the upper end of the forearm bone (ulna).
Olecranon stress fractures overview
The olecranon is the prominent point of the elbow that acts as a lever for the powerful triceps muscle. An olecranon stress fracture develops over time when repeated stress and muscular fatigue reduce the joint’s ability to absorb shock effectively. Instead, the force is transferred directly into the bone, causing a small crack to form. These injuries are most commonly seen in athletes involved in repetitive overhead or throwing activities, such as javelin throwers, baseball pitchers, tennis players, and gymnasts. Without adequate rest and early intervention, an untreated stress fracture can progress into a complete bone break or lead to chronic elbow instability.
What are the symptoms?
- Focal pain directly over the tip of the elbow or deep within the joint
- Pain that worsens during throwing, overhead movements, or heavy resistance
- Tenderness when pressing on the back of the elbow
- Reduced throwing velocity or power
- In severe cases, constant pain that persists even during rest or daily routine tasks
How is an olecranon stress fracture diagnosed?
Diagnosing an olecranon stress fracture involves a detailed clinical evaluation by your consultant, who will assess your elbow's movement, strength, and stability, as well as examine your throwing technique or activity history.
While standard X-rays are usually performed, early-stage stress fractures may not always show up immediately. An MRI scan or CT scan is often used to confirm the diagnosis, determine the depth of the crack, and check for associated bone spurs (osteophytes) or loose fragments.
Are there any risks?
Complications from olecranon stress fractures or their treatment are generally low, but potential risks include:
- Delayed healing or failure of the bone to unite (non-union)
- Recurrence of the stress fracture upon returning to sport
- Persistent joint stiffness or loss of full elbow extension
- Ongoing pain or development of bone spurs
- Infection or hardware irritation (if screws or plates are used)
Your specialist will evaluate your injury and design a structured rehabilitation strategy to minimise these risks.
Treatment routes for Olecranon stress fractures
The primary treatment involves a period of relative rest and activity modification, avoiding all throwing or high-impact stress. Anti-inflammatory medication may be recommended to manage pain, alongside targeted physical therapy to address muscle imbalances and refine throwing biomechanics.
Recovery from an olecranon stress fracture
Initial rest and inflammation control
Focus on resting the arm and avoiding all throwing or loading activities. Light wrist, finger, and gentle elbow range-of-motion exercises are encouraged to maintain joint mobility while keeping surgical wounds (if applicable) clean and dry.
Progressive mobility and core strengthening
As localised pain subsides, you will progress elbow mobility and begin targeted strengthening for the shoulder, trunk, and forearm to support overall throwing mechanics.
Gradual return to throwing
With consultant approval and evidence of bone healing, non-surgical patients can typically begin an interval throwing program around 6 to 9 weeks. If surgery was required, this phase may be extended to ensure full bone consolidation before loading the joint.
Full sports clearance
Rehabilitation focuses on full-power throwing, sport-specific drills, and maximum load tolerance. Full competitive return is guided by your specialist and physical therapy team.
Working with elbow professionals and teams
Our elbow specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their elbows. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Elbow treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
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