Elbow fracture repair
A clearer way forward
Your next steps explained
Your consultant will talk you through treatments that give your elbow the best chance of healing well.
Treatment shaped around you
Planned with precision
Your treatment will be carefully planned around you and the activities you want to get back to.
Support as you recover
Guidance beyond surgery
You’ll know what to expect as you begin moving your elbow again and work towards the activities that matter to you.
Elbow fracture repair overview
An elbow fracture means one or more of the bones around your elbow joint have broken. Some fractures can also happen with a dislocation, where the joint moves out of its normal position. Surgery may be recommended if the broken pieces of bone have moved out of place, the joint is unstable or the break has caused a wound in the skin (an open fracture). The aim is to move the bone back into a secure position and hold it there with plates and screws, or sometimes pins, while it heals. Your consultant will explain the repair they recommend, why it may be right for you and what you can expect from your recovery.
How is surgery carried out?
You’ll usually have a general anaesthetic, which means you’ll be asleep during the operation. Your surgeon will make a cut near the break, carefully move the broken pieces of bone back into position and secure them so they can heal.
If there’s a wound where the break is, your surgeon will carefully clean the area to reduce the risk of infection. Afterwards, your arm may be supported in a splint while the early healing begins.
Are there any risks?
Every operation carries some risk, but serious complications are uncommon. Your team will take careful steps to reduce these risks and support you throughout your recovery.
Possible complications include:
- Stiffness or reduced movement in the elbow
- Infection around the wound
- Irritation from the metal used to hold the bone in place
- Injury to a nearby nerve or blood vessel
- The bone taking longer to heal or not healing fully
Before surgery, your consultant will explain which risks are most relevant to you and your injury, and you’ll have plenty of time to ask questions before deciding whether to go ahead.
Recovery from elbow fracture repair
Protecting the repair
Rest with your arm raised when you can and take pain relief as advised. Your care team will show you how to look after the wound and move safely.
Regaining movement
You may move from a splint to a brace as healing progresses. Gentle exercises will help restore movement while protecting the repair.
Returning to activity
Your exercises may gradually become more challenging as the bone heals. Returning to sport can take six months to a year, but throwing sports can often take longer.
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.
Elbow fracture repair FAQs
No. Some broken elbows can heal with support from a sling, splint or cast. Surgery may be recommended if the bones have moved out of place, the joint is unstable or there’s a wound over the break.
This depends on your injury and the repair you’ve had. Your consultant will tell you how long the support is needed and when you can safely begin moving your elbow.
You should only return to driving when you can control the vehicle safely, and your consultant or therapist has confirmed you’re ready.
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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