Orthopedic & Joint Replacement

Specialized Care for Elbow Injuries and Conditions 

Medical Conditions Affecting the Elbow Joints

Orthopedic specialists provide expert care for a range of elbow conditions and issues, including: 

Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

Pain on the outside of the elbow is common in patients that play tennis and can be made worse by continued attempts to play. On physical examination, patients have tenderness to pressure on the outer or lateral aspect of the elbow.

Range of Treatments

Most patients benefit from a regimen of rest, specific exercises and occupational therapy. Uncommonly, surgical treatment is necessary for debridement or repair of the lateral elbow.

Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)

Pain on the inside of the elbow can occur among golfers after a heavy weekend of competition. Most patients have focal tenderness on the inside knob of the elbow that is often made worse by wrist flexion.

Treatments Provide Relief

Most patients find significant relief in rest, specific exercises and occupational therapy. Occasionally, club modification can be useful, too. Surgical treatment can improve elbow discomfort for the occasional patient that is not improved with these measures.

Ligamentous Reconstruction (Tommy John Surgery)

Primarily a condition that affects throwing athletes, disruption of the medial collateral ligament of the elbow often requires treatment to facilitate a return to competition. Throwers, usually baseball pitchers, initially experience loss of velocity or loss of control and have pain in the medial elbow. Diagnosis usually requires a thorough history and physical exam. MRI is often necessary for detailed assessment. For athletes with complete ligament tears, surgical reconstruction is often indicated.

Reconstruction Treatment

Surgical reconstruction usually requires the use of a tendon graft to replace or reconstruct the medial collateral ligament of the elbow. While early occupational therapy helps with a return to daily activities, the return to competition is usually around 9-12 months.