Swollen Elbow

[maxbar]

Hi,
I was hit by a cricket ball on my right elbow around 4 weeks ago. It swoll up very quickly but my movements were not affected. However, the next day, I decided to get an x-ray. It proved there was no break or fracture and the swelling eventually subsided. Since then, it has swollen up again and I had to go to my GP. He said that it was blood and it would take months to go - altough he did offer to syringe it out but he did say it would come back again. The problem is that it seems to be swelling up even more and its becoming an embarrasement to me. I was wondering if there is something else that might be causing the swelling?

[sixphysio]

afternoon

is the swelling in, around or on the point of your elbow?

different places = different things.

a really small hairline fracture may not be seen on xray straight away (especially if the person reading it misses it). 10 days later there may be some callous around the fracture site which will be visible on xray.

if there is swelling in the in the joint, after a fracture, then it's blood. huge fracture = huge pain = huge swelling which when aspirated will go down and return, but not to the same volume. swelling around the joint maybe due to an avulsed ligament and swelling on the point maybe an inflamed bursa (a fluid filled sack), which will return after aspiration.....but give it a bit of compression and fingers crossed

cheers

sixphysio

[RGOODWIN13]

Swelling whether caused by inflammation or blood/fluid pooling can be controlled by icing and compression.

Wearing an ice compression elbow wrap will stop the pain, stop the inflammation, and control the pooling. Once the pain and inflammation are completely eliminated (several days at best) heat can be applied if an internal hematoma is present. The heat will increase circulation to dissolve the coagulated blood. Do not use heat while the injury is still active as it will increase the amount of blood leaking. The tissues have to heal before heat is used.

You can get more information on an ice compression elbow wrap at Proven Tennis Elbow Treatment

Good Luck