- [Home](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en) - [Conditions](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions) - [Paediatric injuries and fractures](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/injuries-fractures) - Elbow fractures in children [Back to the paediatric injuries and fractures guide](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/injuries-fractures) Fracture assessment Information page for parents # Elbow fractures in children The elbow is one of the most delicate areas of paediatric traumatology. After a fall on the hand, sports trauma or a dislocation, the child may have pain, swelling, limited motion or difficulty using the arm. [Book a visit](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/locations)[Back to the paediatric injuries and fractures guide](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/injuries-fractures) ## What I assess during the visit During the visit I personally review the X-ray images together with the report and any available documentation. I assess the type of fracture, alignment and stability, the child's age and remaining growth, and any relationship with the growth plate. These elements help understand whether the current pathway is appropriate and how to plan the following check-ups. The check-up can be useful after an injury, an X-ray or an emergency department visit. Paediatric elbow fractures are not all alike. Some involve the distal humerus, others the proximal radius, others the apophyses or growth plates. Interpreting paediatric elbow X-rays can be complex because ossifications change with age. In case of visible deformity, severe uncontrolled pain, cold or pale fingers, sensory changes, open wounds or major trauma, urgent ER care is required. ![Dott. Daniele Priano - Ortopedico Pediatrico](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/assets/doctor-avatar-3d-B7t_C744.webp) #### 🩺 Clinical note In paediatric fractures it is not only about whether a bone is broken: site of the lesion, growth plate involvement, the child's age and remodelling potential all shape the follow-up plan. ## The most frequent fractures Lesions to consider include supracondylar humerus fractures, typical of school age; lateral condyle fractures; medial epicondyle fractures or avulsions, more frequent in older children and adolescents; radial head or neck fractures; elbow dislocations with possibly associated fragments; and nursemaid's elbow, which is not a fracture but may enter the differential diagnosis of a young child who is not using the arm. ## Why it deserves careful evaluation The paediatric elbow deserves attention because some fractures may be subtle at first, some can shift on follow-up and others involve the joint or nearby structures such as nerves and vessels. Adequate evaluation helps to clarify the type of lesion, the relationship with growth and the appropriate follow-up pathway. ## Possible aspects to check - fracture location - significant swelling - elbow mobility - relation to the joint - any neurological or vascular signs - possible associated dislocation - correct interpretation of paediatric X-rays Aspects assessed during a paediatric orthopaedic visit. They are not self-management criteria. [When surgery is considered Surgical treatment of paediatric elbow fractures Indications, conservative alternatives, techniques and follow-up.](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/surgery/fractures/elbow) ## Related content [paediatric sports traumatology](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/sports-injuries)[surgical treatment of paediatric fractures](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/surgery/injuries-fractures)[fractures near the growth plate](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/surgery/physeal-fractures)[Back to the paediatric injuries and fractures guide](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/injuries-fractures) ## Complete injuries and fractures pathway This page is part of the paediatric injuries and fractures pathway. The main guide covers the overall picture and the warning signs. - [1 Overview: when an injury is urgent How growing bone behaves, what happens in the emergency room and when an orthopaedic review is useful.](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/injuries-fractures) - [3 Elbow and forearm · you are here Supracondylar, forearm and wrist fractures: the most frequent paediatric sites.](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/elbow-fracture-children) [Forearm](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/forearm-fracture-children) - [Wrist](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/wrist-fracture-children) - [Elbow surgery](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/surgery/fractures/elbow) - [Forearm surgery](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/surgery/fractures/forearm) - [Wrist surgery](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/surgery/fractures/wrist) - [4 Hand and fingers: recovery after immobilisation Recovery sheet for finger motion after a splint or cast, with the stiffness signs to report.](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/parents-kids/exercises/post-cast/after-finger-cast) - [5 Lower limb and ankle Femur, leg, knee and ankle: weight-bearing, healing times and return to walking.](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/femur-fracture-children) Adjacent clinical pictures: [Sports injuries](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/sports-injuries) ### Related Articles [Updates Supracondylar elbow fracture: if treated with a cast, the first 14 days truly matter](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/blog/supracondylar-elbow-fractures-cast-treatment-first-14-days) [All articles →](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/blog) ## Paediatric orthopaedic check-up after trauma or fracture Dr. Daniele Priano sees children and adolescents in Milan. The visit can be useful after the ER, X-rays, a cast, sports trauma or questions about the follow-up pathway. [Book a paediatric orthopaedic check-up](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/locations)[See locations and booking](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/locations) Content for general informational purposes only. It does not replace a medical evaluation. --- Canonical: https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/elbow-fracture-children Le informazioni cliniche sono divulgative e non sostituiscono una valutazione medica diretta.