Surgical procedures
Elbow fracture fixation
Realigning and fixing fractures of the elbow, the olecranon, radial head, or distal humerus, so the joint is stable enough to start moving early and avoid stiffness.
Fracture fixation
Early motion
Restores stability
What is elbow fracture fixation?
The elbow is a precise hinge formed by three bones, and fractures that shift the joint surface even a little can cause pain, instability, and stiffness if they heal out of position.
Repair realigns the fragments anatomically and holds them with plates, screws, or wires strong enough to allow early motion, the single most important factor in avoiding a permanently stiff elbow.
What & why
Why it's recommended
A displaced or unstable fracture
A step-off in the joint surface
A fracture that occurred with an elbow dislocation
The need to start early motion and prevent stiffness
At a glance
Motion is the goal
The elbow stiffens faster than any other joint when immobilized. Stable fixation exists to let you move early, protecting motion is the whole point of the repair.
Anesthesia & hospital stay
The day of surgery
Surgery typically takes one to two hours depending on the fracture pattern. You'll be fully asleep, and most patients go home the same day.
General anesthesia
Completely asleep, often with a regional arm block.
1–2 hours
Depending on the complexity of the fracture.
Home same day
Most repairs are outpatient; complex injuries may stay one night.
Outpatient setting
Performed at Summit Atlantic Surgery Center or Overlook.
Recovery timeline & milestones
What recovery looks like
A brief period of protection is followed by early, guided motion while the bone heals.
Protect
A splint protects the repair briefly; gentle motion often starts within days.
Restore motion
Therapy works steadily toward full bending and straightening.
Strengthen
Strengthening begins as X-rays confirm healing.
Return
A staged return to lifting, sport, and full use.
Risks & benefits
Weighing the procedure
- Restores the joint surface and alignment
- Stable fixation allows early motion
- Reduces the risk of long term stiffness and arthritis
- Predictable healing for active patients
- Stiffness, the most common issue after any elbow injury
- Hardware prominence at the point of the elbow
- Nerve irritation, usually temporary
- Infection or delayed healing, uncommon
Treats these conditions
This procedure treats displaced elbow fractures of the olecranon, radial head, and distal humerus.
FAQ
Common questions
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The elbow forms scar tissue quickly. Moving within the first days after stable fixation is the best protection against permanent stiffness.
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Plates at the point of the elbow can sometimes be felt when leaning on the arm. Hardware can be removed after the bone heals if it is bothersome.
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Most patients regain functional, comfortable motion. A few degrees of terminal straightening can be lost after significant fractures, usually without affecting daily life.
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