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Huntington Beach, CA
A 38-year-old male asked:

I have a comminuted fracture to the radial head in my right elbow. it's been 9 months and i'm still in pain. how long does this take to heal?

3 doctor answers5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Pavel Conovalciuc
Family Medicine 25 years experience
Fracture: It would have healed by now normally. But did it heal correctly or not, that's the issue. If there was also damage to the adjacent nerves, this may be responsible for your pain. Get a work up.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Ric Kleinbart
Orthopedic Surgery 37 years experience
Agree with above. Need orthopedic evaluation for mail or nonunion and mechanical block
Aug 8, 2013
Dr. David Rosenfeld
Pain Management 29 years experience
Before now: 9 months is far to long. You ask how long it takes to heal so i assume you have seen an orthopedist who verified that the bone has not healed. (just because there is pain does not mean that the bone is not healed). If that is the case you have a malunion. It ill likely need surgery.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Jeffrey Wint
Hand Surgery 37 years experience
Radial head fracture: Heals in the same time frame as most bones in most healthy persons 7-8 weeks. Pain can be from the severity of the fracture and joint and tendon mal alignment, elbow ligament problems, joint stiffness , and a host of other issues. Speak to the treating physician.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Charles Toman
Sports Medicine 20 years experience
You will likely not improve further without further intervention. Seek out a shoulder and elbow specialist or sports medicine specialist. Thank you
Aug 8, 2013
Last updated Feb 8, 2017

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