Slips and falls are up there with the most common causes of accidental injury in the U.S. What makes these types of accidents so dangerous is that they can happen at any time or place and to any person.
When you fall, your instinct is usually to put your arms out to protect yourself. Even if you don’t manage to do this, your arms could be the first part of your body that feels the impact. Sometimes, people even land on their arms with the full weight of their bodies.
This means that your elbows are potentially exposed to harm. One of the most serious and painful forms of elbow injuries is dislocations. What are the more common symptoms of a dislocated elbow?
Symptoms can vary
In some cases, the elbow will be so deformed that it’s obvious something is out of place. However, this isn’t always the case. Perhaps you notice that your elbow feels unstable when you try to move it as if something is popping in and out of place?
Often, pain and swelling are immediately present after a fall, which could be a sign that your elbow has been dislocated. Nonetheless, you also want to keep an eye out for feelings of numbness and a tingling sensation running through your arm.
Treatment options
In some cases, doctors will be able to put your elbow back in place without the need for surgery. However, pain management and physical therapy are still usually required before you can make a full recovery.
When damage to the elbow is more severe, surgeries may be necessary for you to make a full recovery. You can expect to be out of work for a period of at least a few months, depending on what you do for a living.
Your legal options
If you have suffered a dislocated elbow after a fall and the cause of the accident was negligence from another party, you could be entitled to legal compensation. Seeking guidance from someone with experience in the field of personal injury law will give you a better idea of your options.
