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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Broken Elbow, Cast Removed, Swelling, Hard Around Fracture. Normal?

Hi, My one year and half old daughter broken her left elbow three weeks ago, today we had her cast off, I found her elbow is still swelling around the fracture part. I tougthed it, it is hard and like toughing on bone. I am wondering if it is normal. Doctor said it is ok and normal, but we worry because that it is really hard

Thanks
Amanda
posted on Sun, 26 May 2013
Twitter Mon, 27 May 2013 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 27 May 2013 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,
Your one and half year old child had fracture elbow three weeks ago. Cast applied, removed today. The fracture area is swollen and tough to feel like a bone.
Elbow is a joint of 3 bones - upper part humerus, lower part radius & ulna. You have not told which bone is broken. Any fracture during childhood the Dr will reduce (bring back the bone to the original position if there is any displacement) and plaster of Paris (POP) will be applied followed by cast application.
The fractured bones unite by the calcium from the blood collected at the fracture site and it take some time for growth and the bone to unite. Even though the cast is removed absolute union will take place after some more days/weeks. The muscles kept in a stable position without movement by cast, need some days to recover its original intensity, sometime physiotherapy may be needed . So it will take few more days for swelling to subside and sensation of toughness will be there. Wearing cuff & collar for a few more days is advised.
Your child will recover fully.
Best wishes to you and your child
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Broken Elbow, Cast Removed, Swelling, Hard Around Fracture. Normal?

Hello, Your one and half year old child had fracture elbow three weeks ago. Cast applied, removed today. The fracture area is swollen and tough to feel like a bone. Elbow is a joint of 3 bones - upper part humerus, lower part radius & ulna. You have not told which bone is broken. Any fracture during childhood the Dr will reduce (bring back the bone to the original position if there is any displacement) and plaster of Paris (POP) will be applied followed by cast application. The fractured bones unite by the calcium from the blood collected at the fracture site and it take some time for growth and the bone to unite. Even though the cast is removed absolute union will take place after some more days/weeks. The muscles kept in a stable position without movement by cast, need some days to recover its original intensity, sometime physiotherapy may be needed . So it will take few more days for swelling to subside and sensation of toughness will be there. Wearing cuff & collar for a few more days is advised. Your child will recover fully. Best wishes to you and your child