Written by Mary Anne Dykstra, OTR/L, CHT
Fractures to the elbow are quite common and usually occur due to a fall or a twisting injury.
There are many areas that can be fractured and often go along with a ligament injury as well. This is where, in the case of Dwyane Wade’s injury, it can take people out of their sport for some time while the fracture and/or ligaments heal. Dwyane’s injury was classified as a “small fracture,” but it could be a big deal due to the importance of proper anatomy and the attachment of many stabilizing ligaments in that area.
The elbow acts as a hinge joint, such as on a door with the open/close or the bend/straighten action, but it is more complicated than that as it also rotates (palm up/palm down) requiring two more joints (the humeroradial and proximal radioulnar joint). The three areas commonly fractured at the elbow are the olecranon (the tip on the back of the elbow), the radial head (a bone at the end of the forearm), and the distal humerus (lower end of the upper arm bone).
For non-operative patients, such as in Dwyane Wade’s case, this usually requires a splint to rest as the fracture heals (typically in 4-6 weeks in a simple fracture), followed by motion and eventual transition to strength/stability beginning around 12-16 weeks.
Many people that have associated ligament damage also experience wrist pain. Wade’s wrist pain may be due to his initial fall or it could also be due to the pull of the ligaments during his fracture. This can increase healing time required before returning to his daily activities and basketball.
Wade will likely work with a therapist that specializes in the elbow, assuring that all ligaments are protected when he does begin moving the elbow. When movement is started too soon or fracture fragments move, they may have to be surgically treated; there is no guarantee this early in the athlete’s recovery.
We do know that motion, ice, soft tissue mobilization and eventual transition to stabilization/strengthening is in Dwyane Wade’s future.
If you are wondering if your elbow pain after a fall is more than a bump, stop by the clinic closest to you or schedule a complimentary screening at ATI Physical Therapy today!