How Can I Tell If My Child's Elbow Is Broken or Sprained?

Reviewed by Tomas Diaz, MD

Emergency Medicine

A broken elbow causes severe pain, swelling, and sometimes a visible deformity. While a sprain also causes swelling and pain, it usually doesn't show any bone deformity. An X-ray ordered by a doctor can determine which injury has occurred.

Explanation

It can be challenging to tell if a child's elbow injury is a break (fracture) or a sprain. A broken elbow usually causes significant swelling and may show a visible deformity, along with limited movement. A sprain, which happens when ligaments are stretched or torn, also causes pain and swelling—but the bone remains properly aligned. Given the overlap in findings, only a medical examination and X-ray can provide a definitive diagnosis. The correct diagnosis is crucial for determining proper treatment.

(References)

Crowther M. Elbow pain in pediatrics. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2009 Jun;2(2):83-7. doi: 10.1007/s12178-009-9049-4. Epub 2009 Mar 14. PMID: 19468873; PMCID: PMC2697336.
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.
Hope N, Varacallo MA. Supracondylar Humerus Fractures. [Updated 2023 Aug 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560933/

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