Elbow Pain and Conditions

Your elbow Joint provides strength and mobility. The elbow flexes, extends and rotates to provide freedom of movement for everyday activities, as well as athletic pursuits. This small but complex joint is quite susceptible to injury and disease.

Types of elbow pain and conditions

Tendinitis is the most common elbow condition. This type of elbow pain occurs when tendons joining arm muscles to the elbow joint and arm bones suffer an injury or irritation.

Other elbow conditions to watch:

  • Torn ligaments
  • Tennis elbow or Golfer’s elbow
  • Bursitis (olecranon)
  • Elbow fracture
  • Dislocated elbow
  • Arthritis (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis)
  • Sprained elbow
  • Osteochondritis dissecans
  • Ulnar nerve entrapment (radial tunnel or cubital tunnel syndrome)
  • Tumor
  • Infection

In a few cases, elbow disorders can be linked to injuries in other parts of the body – herniated disc, broken arm, torn rotator cuff, dislocated shoulder, sprained wrist, etc. Moving differently to compensate for pain in other areas of the body can put added strain on the elbow.

Other cases of elbow pain arise from degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. These types of elbow conditions typically feature joint pain, swelling and stiffness.

Why orthopedic treatment for elbow pain?

Elbow injury or joint disease in the elbow may result in debilitating pain, numbness and the inability to move your shoulder, arm or hand.

Physicians in the field of orthopedic medicine and sports medicine have experience and training in elbow conditions. Orthopedic doctors or orthopedic surgeons work exclusively with disorders of the bones, joints and connective tissues (muscles, ligaments, tendons and cartilage), but they also understand the need to treat the whole patient with compassion.

Your next steps to stop elbow pain

If you experience elbow pain, weakness, numbness or tingling – especially after an accident or sports injury – turn to the orthopedic specialty center of Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Hospital – Arlington.

You can make an appointment with an orthopedic specialist by calling 1.855.41.ORTHO to get started with a diagnostic exam, consultation and discussion of elbow treatment options.

We also have a 24-hour orthopedic emergency department, extensive physical therapy facilities, and advanced diagnostic imaging tools.

Choose the most effective treatment option

To provide specialized care to patients with elbow pain, Baylor Scott & White – Arlington features sophisticated orthopedic surgery suites for all types of elbow procedures, including nonsurgical therapies and minimally invasive elbow surgery.

Examples of elbow treatments available at our hospital include:

  • Radial tunnel release
  • Cubital tunnel release
  • Bracing and splinting
  • Physical therapy
  • Pain management
  • Steroid injections
  • Open elbow surgery
  • Minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery
  • Aspiration of the olecranon bursa
  • Ulnar nerve transposition
Baylor, Scott & White Arlington, TX