Your Elbow Specialists

ELBOW OVERVIEW

Peachtree Orthopedics’ board-certified surgeons and orthopedic specialists diagnose and treat a wide range of upper extremity issues that affect the elbow, including fractures, arthritis, tendonitis, tennis and golfer’s elbow, ligament sprains and tears, dislocation and instability, and bursitis. Some of these elbow problems result from accidents or sports injuries, while others develop over time due to wear and tear of the joints and ligaments.

The fellowship-trained elbow specialists at Peachtree Orthopedics in Atlanta offer the full gamut of operative and non-operative solutions for your elbow conditions or injuries, no matter the level of complexity. Treatment options can range from non-surgical treatments and therapies such as physical therapy, NSAIDs, and injections, to surgical fixation, if necessary.

COMMON ELBOW INJURIES

Although elbow pain is common, we know that it can have a significant impact on your life. Stop suffering and let a surgeon who specializes in elbow orthopedics alleviate your pain and get you back to doing the things you love.

Tennis elbow

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a condition of the elbow in which the forearm muscles become damaged from overuse. The condition is common in athletes and in people with jobs that require vigorous and repetitive use of the forearm. Inflammation or micro-tearing of the tendons that join the forearm muscles on the outside of the elbow leads to pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow.

Common signs and symptoms of tennis elbow include:
– Pain or burning on the outer part of your elbow
– Weak grip strength
– Sometimes, pain at night

The symptoms are often worsened with forearm activity, such as holding a racquet, turning a wrench, or shaking hands. Approximately 80 to 95% of patients have success with nonsurgical treatment, which can include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, braces, and steroid injections.

Osteoarthritis of the elbow

Osteoarthritis of the elbow occurs when the cartilage surface of the elbow is worn out or is damaged. This can happen because of a previous injury such as elbow dislocation or fracture. Most commonly, it is the result of a normal wearing away of the joint cartilage from age and activity.

Injury to the ligaments resulting in an unstable elbow can also lead to osteoarthritis, even if the elbow surface is not damaged, because the normal forces across the elbow are altered, causing the joint to wear out more rapidly.

The most common symptoms of elbow arthritis are pain and loss of range of motion; these symptoms may not occur at the same time. Patients usually report a “grating” or “locking” sensation in the elbow. The “grating” is due to loss of the normal smooth joint surface. This is caused by cartilage damage or wear. The “locking” is caused by loose pieces of cartilage or bone that dislodge from the joint and become trapped between the moving joint surfaces, blocking motion. In the later stages of osteoarthritis of the elbow, patients may notice numbness in their ring finger and small finger.

Nonsurgical treatment, which can include oral medications, physical therapy, activity modification, and corticosteroid injections, can help in the early stages. When nonsurgical interventions are not enough to control symptoms, surgery may be needed.

Elbow Bursitis

Elbow (olecranon) bursitis occurs when the fluid-filled sac, or bursa, at the tip of the elbow becomes inflamed. Often, the first sign of bursitis is swelling at the tip of the elbow.

Elbow bursitis can occur for a number of reasons, including trauma, prolonged pressure, infection, and medical conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout).

Nonsurgical treatment includes elbow pads, activity changes, medications, and corticosteroids. If the bursitis is due to an infection, aspiration of the bursa and/or antibiotics may be used. Surgery may be recommended if nonsurgical treatments do not work.