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Around 4 weeks ago I fell off my bike at a standstill, went over on my left elbow onto a rock slab. Got up, laughed it off as it was such a stupid fall, but cursing, as it really hurt. Just a little bit of blood, but probably brusied internally. Now, I’d done something similar 45 years ago, which left my elbow with a crack at the ‘olecranon’, the bit at the elbow end of the forearm. Nothing could be done then, just let it heal on its own.
After the pain didnt stop for a couple of weeks, I thought the same must have happened again, but then last week it stopped aching. Until yesterday, when it has got REALLY sore, and inflamed/swollen, such that my elbow is now noticably bigger than the other, and aches like mad, such that I’m struggling to move it without aching. It isnt any sharp pain, just a really dull ache, but it is definitely getting me down this afternoon.
Any ideas? I dont think a visit to the Hospital will be any good, as I have full movement, just this dull ache and swelling, and its painful to touch, which, even at the time I did it, I could rub the bone, but its painful to do that now. This isnt an emergency, just looking to know if anyone has had anything similar? What has surprised me is the pain has reappeared at double the strength when it had almost gone away.
It's probably got a hairline fracture. Get an x-ray next week.
Got a walk in centre or minor injuries unit nearby? That's the place to go rather than A&E.
Minor injuries time or urgent care or gp ( who will probably refer you on) or nhs 24 or whatever its called in your area
My guess would be an infected bursa. I doubt a fracture.
Its only a guess tho but it needs seen quickly.
This isnt an emergency, just looking to know if anyone has had anything similar?
I thought the same when I rolled my elbow off the edge of the worktop. Exactly the same symptoms as you, slightly shorter timeline. Ended up being septic bursitis and I needed a few days in hospital getting pumped full of IV antibiotics. Go get it checked urgently.
Your sympton descriptions make me think infection. Is it warm and red? Has the extent changed? Draw round it with a pen and see if it's moving.
A little bit of blood indicates a wound where an infection can get in, your body might fight it off, it might not, or it can be nip and tuck for some time and then the infection starts to take hold...and that can be serious. Mate had a small cut that did nothing for days, and then got hold and ended up in hospital on IV antibiotics
I'd get it checked ASAP, this is one where days later means can't be urgent doesn't apply.
Thanks all, advice heeded. I woke up at 7.40, thats late for me, and felt shite. I saw the replies from yesterday, and thought I needed to have this checked out. It was stiffer and more swollen than yesterday, with a prominent red patch around the elbow. A+E, 1 minute looking at it, yes, you've got an infection in your joint, glad you came in today, as a few more days you’d be having IV to try to kill the infection, just as The flying ox and the otherjonv said above. Two packets of tablets, at double the usual strength, 4 times a day. Oh, the Xray came back ok, previous damage shown, elbow is wearing out, lots of notches etc, but no loose bits of bone (which I didnt think there would be, as I’ve got full movement without pain, until Friday.)
TBH, I felt so bad this morning, I would have gone anyway without the advice, but its good to know at least two of you said exactly what it was. Thanks all.
I'm 99% convinced that the entire reason for the existence of 111 is to reassure Brits who don't want to make a fuss that yes, you really should seek medical attention.
That's good news. Plenty of prebiotic yoghurt, double dose AB ain't great for your gut flora!!
I was going to suggest going straight to A&E , stuff like that is serious and can kill you within hours
I'm 99% convinced that the entire reason for the existence of 111 is to reassure Brits who don't want to make a fuss that yes, you really should seek medical attention.
Not sure about that, I think it’s there to be as useless as possible, it either tells you too go straight to A&E when you don’t need it or tells you to wait you will be ok when you need A&E or access to an acute service
I assume op they told you to keep an eye on the size of the swelling and if it keeps growing to not hesitate to go back