The elbow is where the radius, ulna, and humerus bones meet. An elbow fracture is a break in one or more of these bones.

The orthopedic specialist (bone doctor) put a cast on your child’s arm to hold it still while it heals. The cast will stay on for about 3–4 weeks. With proper care, most kids heal well from an elbow fracture.

Follow your orthopedic specialist’s instructions for:

• Any activities your child needs to avoid
• Whether your child needs to use a sling
• When to follow up

For pain and swelling:

• Prop up the elbow on pillows when your child is sitting down or sleeping. 
• Remind your child to wiggle the fingers and the thumb to keep blood circulating normally.
• When your child is awake, put ice in a plastic bag wrapped in a towel on the cast for 20 minutes every three hours for up to two days. Don't put ice directly on the skin or cast.
• If the healthcare provider said it’s OK, you can give medicine such as acetaminophen (Tylenol® or a store brand) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand). Follow the package directions for how much to give and how often.

Taking care of the cast:

• Don't put anything in the cast. Make sure your child doesn't put toys, food, or other objects into it.
• Keep dirt, sand, lotion, and powder away from the cast.
• If the cast is irritating your child’s skin, cover the rough or sharp part of the cast with medical tape or moleskin (available at the pharmacy without a prescription).
• If your child has itchiness under the cast, lightly tap on the cast or use a hair dryer on the cool setting to blow air in and around the edges. Don't let your child scratch under the cast or put anything into it.
• If the fingers look puffy, raise the arm above the level of the heart for one hour. If the swelling doesn't get better, call your healthcare provider.

If the cast is not waterproof, keep it dry:

• No swimming
• Younger children can get a sponge bath. For regular baths or showers, you can cover the cast with one of these:
  • Two plastic bags sealed at the top with a rubber band (or tape)
  • Plastic wrap covered with a plastic bag that is sealed at the top
  • A waterproof cast protector
• If the cast gets splashed, blow air into it from a hair dryer on the cool setting.

If your child has a waterproof cast:

• Your child can bathe, shower, and swim without covering the waterproof cast.
• Once a day, and after bathing, showering, or swimming:
  1. Flush the cast and liner with clean water to remove soap after baths or showers.
  2. Dry the waterproof cast with a hair dryer on the cool or fan-only setting afterwards.

• Your child gets a blister, rash, or raw skin around the cast.
• Your child's pain isn't helped by pain medicine.
• The hand or fingers become very swollen and the swelling doesn’t go away after propping up the arm for one hour.
• The cast is too loose or too tight.
• The cast gets wet, is damaged, or has a foul odor.

How do kids get an elbow fracture? Kids can break a bone in the elbow during play or sports. Often, this happens when an arm is stretched out to stop a fall.

What does the cast do? The cast is made of fiberglass or plaster with soft padding inside. It supports and protects the broken bone while it heals. It might feel snug, but it shouldn't feel too tight or painful. It can feel heavy, so your child might wear a sling around the neck and over the cast for support.