Broken Elbow Treatment

Elbow Pain and Injuries

Your elbow serves as a hinge joint that connects the bones in your arm. It aligns around a slippery, gelatinous sac, which is why you can move your arm in more than one direction.

Your elbow is comprised of three bones that are called:

• The humerus or upper arm bone
• Radius
• Ulna (both the radius and the ulna make up your forearm).

These three bones allow you to move your elbow joint in three unique ways, either to flex, extend, or rotate.

Because of the complexity of how your ligaments, bones, and muscles connect in your arm, as well as your elbow’s ability to absorb the impact of everyday movements, the joints in this area are prone to irritation and inflammation, which serve as the two most common sources of elbow pain.

The root of these conditions is commonly associated with some combination of overuse and heavy exertion, genetics, infection, and some degenerative disease.

Common Elbow Conditions and Injuries Treated by Orthopedists

Elbow pain is most commonly found in a patient’s dominant arm. Below are a few of the most common types of elbow pain that we treat at AICA Orthopedics. In addition to these, we treat any and all elbow pain through physical therapy and even surgery when necessary.

Tennis Elbow

Patients tend to first experience Tennis Elbow as a form of pain or soreness that is felt on the exterior side of the elbow. A form of tendonitis, it is caused by damage to the muscles and tendons connecting the forearm muscles to the elbow joint.

It comprises of the muscles and tendons that attach to the bony spur on the exterior portion of the elbow, which is called the lateral epicondyle. This damage is more commonly caused by overuse of the joint, particularly through repetitive motions. Those who are most at risk for developing Tennis Elbow tend to participate in the following exercises or activities:

• Throwing
• Crossfit
• Weightlifting
• Punching or “Boxer’s Elbow”

Golfer's Elbow

While similar to Tennis Elbow, however, instead of the outside or back or the elbow being affected, it’s the area inside of it. Patients that suffer from Golfer’s Elbow may experience a sensation that shoots pain down the inside of their forearm, as they’re trying to grip something. It tends to be be caused by a single violent jolt, but can also result from repetitive stress, in which pain develops gradually over time as the repetitive motions continue to take place and the condition goes untreated.

Olecranon Bursitis

Olecranon Bursitis is caused when the bursa in your elbow joint is either injured, irritated, or inflamed. There are several reasons why elbow bursitis appears in patients:

• Traumatic injury, like the kind of elbow pain after a car accident
• Extreme pressure for prolonged periods of time (like leaning on a desk for a long time)
• Infection
• Certain medical conditions including gout and rheumatoid arthritis

Found on the tip of your elbow, between your bones and the loose skin surrounding the area, its primary function is dedicated to allowing your skin to move freely over the elbow. While it’s usually flat, it does become inflamed when irritated or injured.

Broken Elbow Treatments We Offer

While it has a secure double joint framework, the elbow isn’t impervious to wearing down as continuous use can aggravate surrounding tissue.  AICA’s Atlanta orthopedic doctors are prepared to provide care for all types of elbow damage. The nature or cause of the injury doesn’t change anything, our orthopedic team will help you understand all treatment options and what the severity of your injury is.

No matter if you are a professional athlete trying to get back to optimal health for elite sports performance, or just a person suffering from elbow pain after a car accident, we can help you at AICA Orthopedics. Our course of treatment ranges from physical therapy to non-invasive procedures, to full surgical options when necessary.

Your treatment will provide lasting relief to your elbow pain. We invite you to schedule an appointment and see what we mean by calling (404) 855-2141.