B777 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 225; Flight Crew Total 12300; Flight Crew Type 4800
Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Human Factors; Weather
I went back for a bathroom break approximately four hours into the flight.  While talking with; a Flight Attendant working the forward galley; she mentioned that she hurt her elbow.  At the time she had a bag of ice on it.  I remember her saying that she hit it on a galley door.  My interpretation was that she hit it on on open galley cart or container door.  I didn't get any idea that she fell or that it was flight/turbulence related.  Her elbow had a bruise and was very swollen.  She had it mostly immobilized and had ice on it.  She seemed to be in minor pain and had access to aspirin or motrin.  I suggested that when she was able it might help to keep it elevated. Flight planning had forecast some moderate turbulence and we experienced that level for extended periods of time.  I don't recall anything more severe than that.  I don&apos;t think her injury was turbulence related. She went to the hospital and dead headed back with us the next day. I was notified today that her injury was a fracture and therefore warranted further inquiry.
B777 First Officer is informed during a bathroom break that a Flight Attendant injured her elbow when she hit it on a galley door. The injured Flight Attendant deadheads home after seeking medical attention for the elbow which turns out to be fractured and caused by turbulence.