Medically reviewed by: Mark A. Yaffe, MD, certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, subspecialty certified in hand surgery. Last reviewed: October 5, 2026
CHICAGO's Top ELBOW FRACTURE TREATMENT
Elbow Fracture Treatment in Buffalo Grove & Elk Grove Village
Dr. Mark Yaffe(opens in a new tab) is an orthopedic specialist with a subspecialty focus on hand, wrist and elbow conditions, including fractures of the elbow. A broken elbow can make it painful or impossible to bend, straighten or rotate the arm, and getting the right treatment early helps the bones heal in the right position and protects your motion. Dr. Yaffe’s goal is to restore a strong, mobile elbow with the least invasive approach that will work for you.
Whether you fell onto an outstretched hand, took a direct blow or were hurt in a sports or work accident, Dr. Yaffe offers a thorough evaluation and a plan matched to the type of fracture. As part of his broader elbow care(opens in a new tab), he can see you quickly, and even emergently if needed, uses splints instead of casts whenever possible, and offers expeditious surgical care in-office when surgery is needed.
Dr. Yaffe takes the time to listen to your concerns and explains your options so you can decide what fits your goals. If you are ready to find relief with one of the orthopedic doctors serving Schaumburg(opens in a new tab), Buffalo Grove(opens in a new tab), and Elk Grove Village(opens in a new tab), request your first appointment with Dr. Yaffe today.
Elbow Pain, Swelling & Trouble Bending or Straightening the Arm After Injury
Signs and Symptoms of an Elbow Fracture
The elbow is formed by three bones: the upper arm bone (humerus) and the two forearm bones (radius and ulna). A fracture of any of them can look like a bad sprain or bruise, so symptoms alone cannot confirm a break. Common signs after an injury include:
- Pain right after the injury: Sharp pain in or around the elbow that gets worse when you move the arm or press on it.
- Most elbow fractures follow a fall onto an outstretched hand or a direct blow, though sports injuries and car accidents can cause them too.
- Swelling and bruising: Puffiness and discoloration around the elbow that can spread down the forearm.
- Trouble moving the elbow: Difficulty bending or straightening the arm, turning the forearm, or a feeling that the joint is catching or locked.
- A crooked or unstable-looking elbow: Visible deformity, or an elbow that feels like it is out of place.
- Warning signs that need urgent care: Numbness or tingling in the hand, a hand that looks pale or cold, or an open wound or bone showing through the skin.
- If you notice any of these after an injury, go to the nearest emergency room right away rather than waiting for an appointment.
SPLINTS INSTEAD OF CASTS & EXPEDITIOUS IN-OFFICE SURGICAL CARE
Elbow Fracture Treatment Options
Treatment depends on which bone is broken and the nature of the fracture, and it may include conservative management or surgical intervention. Dr. Yaffe offers a full array of treatment options depending on each patient’s unique needs, including:
- Non-surgical care: For fractures that are stable and well aligned, Dr. Yaffe uses splints instead of casts whenever possible, and a removable fracture brace may be an option for some fractures. Hand and arm therapy helps restore motion and strength as the bone heals.
- Surgical care for acute fractures: When a fracture is displaced or unstable, Dr. Yaffe provides expeditious surgical care in-office. The specific procedure depends on which bone is broken and the pattern of the fracture.
- Sports Injuries(opens in a new tab): Dr. Yaffe treats fractures of the wrist, hand and elbow that come from sports and falls, and helps with rehabilitation and getting back to activity safely.
- Preparing for Surgery & Procedure(opens in a new tab): If you and Dr. Yaffe decide on surgery, this guide explains how to get ready for your procedure so you know what to expect.
Surgery is considered for fractures that are displaced, unstable or involve the joint surface, or that do not heal properly with conservative treatment. There is no single right plan for every break, and Dr. Yaffe will walk through your options with you. This page is for education and does not replace an examination, so an in-person evaluation with X-rays is the way to confirm your diagnosis and the best plan for you.
About your surgeon. Dr. Mark A. Yaffe is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery in orthopaedic surgery, with a subspecialty certification in hand surgery, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He earned his M.D. at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, completed his orthopaedic residency at Northwestern, and trained in hand and upper extremity surgery at The Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center. He was named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor in 2026 and a Chicago Magazine Top Doctor in 2025. Read Dr. Yaffe's full bio.(opens in a new tab)
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes elbow fractures?
The most common cause is a fall onto an outstretched hand, which sends force up the arm and into the elbow. Direct blows to the elbow, sports injuries, car accidents and workplace accidents can also cause fractures, and thinner, weaker bone makes them more likely at older ages. Dr. Yaffe evaluates how the injury happened to understand the type of fracture and how best to treat it.
What types of elbow fractures are there?
Elbow fractures can involve the radius bone of the forearm (often near the elbow joint), the ulna at the point of the elbow, or the end of the upper arm bone, the humerus. They range from small cracks that stay aligned to displaced breaks that involve the joint surface. X-rays show which bone is broken and how, and this guides treatment.
How can I tell if my elbow is broken or just bruised or sprained?
It is often hard to tell, because a fracture, a bruise and a sprain can all cause pain and swelling. Trouble bending or straightening the arm, a feeling of catching, or a visible deformity is more concerning. An exam and X-rays are the reliable way to know, so it is worth being evaluated rather than guessing.
When should I see a specialist for a suspected elbow fracture?
As soon as you can after an injury. Early evaluation helps the bones heal in the right position and helps limit stiffness. Dr. Yaffe can see you quickly, and even emergently if needed. Go to the emergency room right away for numbness, a pale or cold hand, or an open wound.
Will I need a cast for a broken elbow?
Often not. Dr. Yaffe uses splints instead of casts whenever possible, and a removable fracture brace may be an option for some fractures. The right choice depends on which bone is broken and whether the fracture is stable and well aligned.
How does Dr. Yaffe approach elbow fracture treatment?
Dr. Yaffe starts with a thorough exam and X-rays to see which bone is broken and how. Stable fractures may be treated with a splint and therapy, while displaced or unstable fractures may need surgery, which he provides expeditiously in-office when needed. He treats fractures of the hand, wrist and elbow as part of his sports injury care(opens in a new tab), and he reviews the expected benefits and risks of any recommended procedure with you before you decide.
What can I expect during my recovery from an elbow fracture?
Recovery depends on which bone is broken and whether you had surgery. Because the elbow can stiffen quickly, Dr. Yaffe will give you specific instructions for when to begin gentle motion, along with protection and return-to-activity guidance. Many patients work with therapists to regain range of motion and strength. Recovery timelines vary from patient to patient.
How can I get started with the best orthopedic specialist near me?
At Dr. Yaffe’s practice, we want it to be as easy as possible to get started on your road to recovery. Just use our simple online appointment request(opens in a new tab) tool, and it helps to note how and when you were injured.
Get Your Elbow Injury Evaluated by an Orthopedic Specialist
Expert Orthopedic Care from Mark A. Yaffe, M.D.