Excessive carrying angle of the elbow: when to get help
Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Go to an emergency department now if:
The hand is cold, pale, blue, or increasingly numb
There is severe swelling or rapidly worsening pain after an injury
Bone is visible or there is a deep wound over the elbow
You cannot move your fingers normally after an injury
These signs may indicate serious damage to a bone, nerve, or blood vessel.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Seek same-day urgent care if the elbow looks newly deformed after an injury, especially with substantial pain, swelling, numbness, or difficulty moving the arm.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange a routine appointment if the angle is increasing, clearly differs from the other arm, or occurs with persistent pain, stiffness, weakness, reduced movement, or recurring numbness in the little and ring fingers.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Excessive carrying angle of the elbow. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.