Distal humeral fracture means that the bottom of the upper arm bone is broken. Since the humerus forms the upper half of the elbow, this type of fracture certainly affects the elbow. Displaced means the bone is not only broken, but the fracture has separated. These fractures are complex and challenging to treat. Surgery is usually required.

Fractures of the humerus (upper arm bone) just above the elbow are difficult to treat. Surgery is the standard way to treat these fractures. But the optimal approach isn't always clear at the out set. The surgeon must take into consideration many factors. How did it happen? What kind of break is involved? Are the soft tissues around the bone damaged in any way? Did the elbow joint surface crack in the process?

Fractures of the humerus (upper arm bone) just above the elbow are difficult to treat. Surgery is the standard way to treat these fractures. But the optimal approach isn't always clear at the out set. The surgeon must take into consideration many factors. How did it happen? What kind of break is involved? Are the soft tissues around the bone damaged in any way? Did the elbow joint surface crack in the process?

The elbow is a very complex joint that allows elbow flexion and extension but also forearm rotations called supination (palm up) and pronation (palm down). In order to provide this rotational motion, the top or head of the radius (one of the two bones in the forearm that help form the elbow joint) rolls against the other forearm bone (the ulna.

It sounds like he may have a broken and perhaps even dislocated radial head. The radius is one of two forearm bones that meet the humerus (upper arm bone) to form the elbow. The radial head is the top of the radial bone. It sits up under one side of the humerus and articulates (moves) against the other bone of the forearm (the ulna).

In this case report, orthopedic surgeons who specialize in the treatment of traumatic upper extremity injuries ask the question, What's the best way to treat a badly broken elbow? It's dislocated and fractured into bits. Should it be wired together? Would it just be better to replace the elbow with an artificial replacement? What to do -- what to do!

Elbow, wrist, thumb, and hand problems are fairly common -- and they affect people of all ages from young to old. Many are the result of overuse syndromes. Overuse syndromes refers to pain, tenderness, and dysfunction from tissue damage caused by repetitive, prolonged, or forceful use of the thumb, hand, wrist, or elbow. Additionally, assuming awkward positions repeatedly can also contribute to the problem.

In the elbow, two of the most important ligaments are the ulnar collateral ligament and the lateral collateral ligament. The ulnar collateral is on the inside edge of the elbow, and the lateral collateral is on the outside edge.

The current standard of care in the rehabilitation of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction starts right after surgery and progresses through four stages or phases over time. Those phases include: immediate post-op, intermediate (weeks one through three), and advanced (weeks nine through 12). The fourth phase is the return-to activity stage, which takes place from week 13 through the first nine months post-op.

Imagine throwing a baseball so fast your elbow moves 2300 degrees per second. Now do that over and over and imagine the shear force placed on the medial (side closest to the body) structures of the elbow. For throwing athletes, microtrauma to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) from repetitive throwing causes pain, loss of throwing speed, decreased accuracy, and weakness. Ultimately, when the forces placed on the UCL are greater than its tensile strength, something's got to give.