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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Swollen Upper Arm Above Elbow Joint, Tenderness On Touching, Difficulty Bending Arm. Treatment?

Hi.....my son an 18 year water polo player came home from practice with swollen upper arm above elbow joint with severe tenderness upon touch ....he is also having difficulty bending his arm (hand to touch shoulder ). He has broken this elbow at age 13. Please advise if he needs medical help now or can I wait and have him see MD next fewndays! Thank you
Mon, 28 Jan 2013
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello Brenda,



Thanks for posting



I will suggest you get medical attention right away. You did not mention if he had trauma of that elbow when he came back from the water polo or he strained it so much that another fracture of the previous scar has occurred. It could be a gout attack ( are there any family history of gout) or an arthritis. In any case, if the pain is not severe or you do feel that he can support the pain, then you can wait till you see his MD. I will still prefer that you get that checked and possibly do an x-ray.

For now you can give him antiinflammatory to relieve the pain.



Hope this helps



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1 Doctor agrees with this answer

Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement,  Dr. Saurabh Gupta's  Response
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.

The symptoms you have described are more likely to be symptoms of muscles strain.
To get relief from the pain and for quick healing:
1. Do hot fomatation at the site.
2. Apply local anti-inflammatory gel 2-3 times a day.
3. Take anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen to reduce pain and local swelling or inflammation.
4. Do not lift weight or try to do exercise that involve painful muscles. Give proper time for the injury to heal

Wishing you good health...
Regards.
Dr Saurabh Gupta.
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Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
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Swollen Upper Arm Above Elbow Joint, Tenderness On Touching, Difficulty Bending Arm. Treatment?

Hello Brenda, Thanks for posting I will suggest you get medical attention right away. You did not mention if he had trauma of that elbow when he came back from the water polo or he strained it so much that another fracture of the previous scar has occurred. It could be a gout attack ( are there any family history of gout) or an arthritis. In any case, if the pain is not severe or you do feel that he can support the pain, then you can wait till you see his MD. I will still prefer that you get that checked and possibly do an x-ray. For now you can give him antiinflammatory to relieve the pain. Hope this helps