Some breaks or dislocations in your elbow may be able to be set without surgery. Your doctor will look at your elbow and take x-rays before determining if a closed reduction is the right choice for you.
You will be given pain medicine before your elbow is set. The doctor will pull and move your arm to make the bones line up where they are supposed to go. Once the bones seem to be in the right place, you will have another x-ray to confirm. You will be given a splint or cast to keep your elbow in position, and a sling to support it.
If the bones don’t heal as expected, you may need surgery.