How Can I Determine If My Elbow Is Broken or Sprained?

Reviewed by Tomas Diaz, MD

Emergency Medicine

Telling the difference between a broken and sprained elbow can be challenging since both injuries cause pain and swelling. However, a broken elbow is typically more painful and may have limited range of motion. To confirm the diagnosis, a doctor will perform an exam and order an X-ray.

Explanation

When you injure your elbow, you'll typically experience pain, swelling, and bruising. A sprain happens when the ligaments around your elbow stretch or partially tear, usually causing moderate pain and somewhat limited movement. A broken elbow, on the other hand, causes sudden, severe pain. You may notice visible deformity or swelling, and moving your elbow—whether bending or rotating it—becomes extremely difficult. These symptoms are also common with elbow dislocations. To diagnose whether an elbow is sprained, dislocated, or broken, doctors use X-rays and other imaging tests. If you've hurt your elbow and aren't sure how serious it is, seek medical care for proper diagnosis and treatment.

(References)

Wilps T, Kaufmann RA, Yamakawa S, Fowler JR. Elbow Biomechanics: Bony and Dynamic Stabilizers. J Hand Surg Am. 2020 Jun;45(6):528-535. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2020.01.016. Epub 2020 Apr 13. PMID: 32299691.
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/
Watts AC, Singh J, Elvey M, Hamoodi Z. Current concepts in elbow fracture dislocation. Shoulder Elbow. 2021 Aug;13(4):451-458. doi: 10.1177/1758573219884010. Epub 2019 Nov 13. PMID: 34394743; PMCID: PMC8355651.

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