Elbow Injuries and Treatments
While elbow injuries can be painful, the need for surgery is less common than it is with other orthopedic injuries and conditions. Luckily, many elbow conditions are “overuse” injuries that do not require surgical treatment.
At Heiden Orthopedics, no matter your injury, we always consider a conservative approach before moving on to surgical options. Our main priority is to help relieve your elbow pain and help you get back to the activities you enjoy as quickly as possible.
Commonly Treated Elbow Injuries
While many common elbow injuries are a result of overuse from sports and other physical activities, elbow pain and certain conditions can also result from everyday stresses. The following are some of the most common elbow injuries we treat at Heiden Orthopedics.
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
- Elbow pain and swelling
- Elbow tendonitis
- Elbow joint pain
- Bursitis elbow
- Ulnar nerve entrapment
Elbow Anatomy, Injuries and Conditions
The elbow joint is a hinge joint formed by the humerus (upper arm) bone and the ulna and radius (lower arm) bones. While the elbow is primarily stabilized by the ulnar collateral ligament on the inside of the joint, one of the most common elbow injuries — tennis elbow — affects the outer side of the elbow.
Bursitis, tendonitis and fractures of the humerus, ulna and radius can also all affect the elbow joint’s function and stability.
Elbow Surgeries
Thankfully, elbow surgeries are not typically necessary to treat most elbow injuries. If you require surgery, however, one of our elbow specialists will talk you through all of your treatment options. One procedure we perform often is the Tommy John surgery on the ulnar collateral ligament. For some chronic or traumatic injuries, total elbow replacement surgery may be required.
