What Are the Differences between a Broken Elbow and a Sprain?

Reviewed by Tomas Diaz, MD

Emergency Medicine

A broken elbow occurs when one of the elbow bones has a fracture or crack, while a sprain happens when the ligaments supporting the joint are stretched or torn.

Explanation

A broken elbow occurs when one of the joint's bones—the humerus, radius, or ulna—is cracked or shattered. This typically happens after a fall or strong impact, causing severe pain, swelling, and sometimes a visible deformity. Doctors use X-rays to check if the bones are broken or displaced. Treatment ranges from wearing a cast to surgery, depending on the break's severity. In contrast, an elbow sprain is an injury to the ligaments that connect and stabilize the joint. These strong, flexible bands can be damaged when the elbow is twisted forcefully or moved beyond its normal range of motion. Like fractures, sprains cause pain and swelling, but X-rays will show that the bones are intact. Treatment typically includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation to give the ligaments time to heal.

(References)

Saeed W, Waseem M. Elbow Fractures Overview. [Updated 2023 Aug 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441976/
Appelboam A, Reuben AD, Benger JR, Beech F, Dutson J, Haig S, Higginson I, Klein JA, Le Roux S, Saranga SS, Taylor R, Vickery J, Powell RJ, Lloyd G. Elbow extension test to rule out elbow fracture: multicentre, prospective validation and observational study of diagnostic accuracy in adults and children. BMJ. 2008 Dec 9;337:a2428. doi: 10.1136/bmj.a2428. PMID: 19066257; PMCID: PMC2600962.
Sullivan CW, Herron T, Hayat Z. Olecranon Fracture. [Updated 2023 Aug 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537295/

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