Conditions & Treatments
About Your Elbow
Elbow Pain Treatment
The elbow is important for range of motion and arm movement. Injuries to the elbow can occur when playing sports, while working on home or work projects, from a fall or from overuse and repetitive activity. Whatever the issue, the specialists at OSS Health have the expertise to diagnose and treat elbow problems and get you back to doing the things you enjoy. Treatment options include non-operative measures such as medications, injections and physical therapy. OSS Health has Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeons and Sports Medicine Specialists who are specially trained in the diagnosis, treatment and care of the elbow. If surgery is needed, many advanced procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, not requiring an overnight stay.
Meet Our Elbow Specialists:
Elbow Conditions
Elbow Pain
General elbow pain, which is often referred to simply as elbow pain, is a common orthopaedic condition, especially in manual laborers and throwing athletes. General elbow pain is a condition that causes inflammation of the bones and soft tissues of the elbow joint, which results in pain and decreased function of the elbow. As the condition progresses, more inflammation occurs and it becomes more difficult to move the elbow.
Golfer's & Tennis Elbow
Golfer’s Elbow and Tennis Elbow are commonly used terms to describe inflammation of the tendons on the inside and outside of the elbow due to repetitive strain or stress on the tendon. Despite what the names may suggest, Golfer’s Elbow and Tennis Elbow are more common in those whose jobs require repetitive motion of the arm and grasping than it is in athletes. In fact, contractors, plumbers, painters, and other laborers are among the most commonly affected by these conditions.
Elbow Fracture
An elbow fracture, also known as an olecranon fracture, occurs on the bony point of the elbow and is often the result of a fall onto an outstretched arm or direct blow to the elbow. When the elbow is fractured, the fracture itself is classified as either non-displaced (pieces of bone are near their normal anatomic position) or displaced (pieces of the bone are not near their normal anatomic position). Fortunately, the majority of elbow fractures are non-displaced fractures.
Elbow Bursitis
Between the bones and joints of the shoulder and elbow are fluid-filled sacs, known as bursa, that help the bones and joints glide smoothly. When one or more of these bursa becomes impinged or inflamed it is referred to as bursitis. Bursitis is commonly caused by a bone spur in the shoulder or elbow irritating the bursa. Bursitis is common among those whose daily activities require repetitive overhead motions or lifting.
Elbow Dislocation
A joint dislocation occurs when one or more of the bones within a joint is pushed forcefully out of its correct anatomical position and is common in the shoulder, elbow hip or knee. Most joint dislocations are caused by either an accident or a direct blow to the joint. It is important to seek immediate medical attention after a dislocation occurs as other trauma to the joint, ligaments or soft tissue may also have occurred. Attempting to relocate the joint yourself is dangerous and should not be attempted.
UCL Tear
The UCL (ulnar collateral ligament) is a ligament on the inside of the elbow that provides stability and rotation for the elbow joint. An injury to the UCL is commonly associated with baseball pitchers; however, the UCL can be injured in different ways.
Elbow Instability
The elbow consists of the forearm bones, arm bone, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The elbow controls flexion and extension of the forearm relative to the upper arm and forearm and wrist rotation. Elbow Instability can be caused by an accident or injury, such as a fall or direct impact onto the elbow, or as the result of wear and tear of the elbow.
Elbow Treatments
Elbow Tenotomy
UCL Repair (Tommy John's Surgery)
Tommy John’s Surgery (also known as a UCL Repair or UCL Reconstruction) is a well known surgical procedure among athletes and was named after MLB pitcher Tommy John, who was the first to undergo the procedure in 1974. The goal of this procedure is to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament by using a graft or donor tendon to provide stability to the damaged joint.
