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Suggest Treatment For Elbow Fracture

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Posted on Thu, 26 Nov 2015
Question: Should you ice a elbow if it has a stress fracture. My son got an X-ray and three doctors told him not to ice it would make the possible fracture hurt more. They think it is a small fracture but unsure and suggested an MRI. I told him to ice a ton in the first 48 hours. Which is correct
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Probably best not to ice it.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

Usually ice is used for swelling from sprains and strains and injuries to soft tissue. While ice is used during first aid for fractures, it isn't routinely used after that. Ice may make a fracture hurt more.

If there is a lot of soft tissue swelling, it might be ok to gently ice the area but other than that I would not recommend ice for the fracture. It is not the same thing as soft tissue damage.

I'm a family practice doctor and if you would like a second opinion from an orthopedic doctor, you can repost and write in the first line of your message "Request orthopedic doctor". Just so you are aware, it may take several hours until an orthopedic doctor comes online and sees the question.

I hope this information helps and that your son heals quickly from this possible fracture.



Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3133 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Elbow Fracture

Brief Answer: Probably best not to ice it. Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, Usually ice is used for swelling from sprains and strains and injuries to soft tissue. While ice is used during first aid for fractures, it isn't routinely used after that. Ice may make a fracture hurt more. If there is a lot of soft tissue swelling, it might be ok to gently ice the area but other than that I would not recommend ice for the fracture. It is not the same thing as soft tissue damage. I'm a family practice doctor and if you would like a second opinion from an orthopedic doctor, you can repost and write in the first line of your message "Request orthopedic doctor". Just so you are aware, it may take several hours until an orthopedic doctor comes online and sees the question. I hope this information helps and that your son heals quickly from this possible fracture.