Elbow Pain & Injuries

Let our orthopedic specialists help you reduce pain, tenderness and swelling from elbow conditions, such as:

• Arthritis – Worn or damaged cartilage in the elbow
• Broken bones – Fractures at or near the elbow joint
• Cubital tunnel syndrome – Pinched or irritated elbow nerve
• Dislocation – Bones in the elbow that come apart from their normal position
• Distal biceps tendon rupture – Complete or partial separation of the tendon attaching the bicep to the elbow
• Golfer’s or baseball elbow – Painful, swollen or damaged tendons on the inside of the elbow
• Olecranon (elbow) bursitis – Inflamed or irritated bursa at the tip of the elbow
• Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) – Limited blood flow to the elbow joint, which leads to bone death beneath the joint’s cartilage
• Tennis elbow – Inflammation of the tendons (tendonitis) joining the forearm to the outer elbow muscles
• Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tear – Injury to a ligament on the inside of your elbow

Nonsurgical, Conservative Care

Your orthopedic team will use nonsurgical treatments and therapy as your first line of treatment for elbow conditions. Your options at OSF HealthCare may include:

• Resting the elbow to give it time to heal
• Ice therapy to relieve swelling
• Compression to help reduce swelling and prevent strains
• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medications

Rehabilitation Therapy

Improve your mobility and function, reduce pain and gain flexibility through rehabilitation therapy for your elbow.

• Physical therapy – Stretches and exercises to strengthen the forearm muscles along with ultrasound or muscle-stimulating techniques to support healing
• Occupational therapy – Techniques for doing daily tasks more easily as you recover

Elbow Injections

For some conditions, doctors use cortisone steroid shots in the elbow to relieve pain and reduce elbow inflammation. Injections can also help speed recovery from overuse, sprains and strains. Injections give temporary relief, usually up to six months.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections help heal injured elbow tissue, reduce pain and improve movement. Your doctor takes platelets from your blood and injects them into your elbow to stimulate healing.

Elbow Surgery/Procedures

Your orthopedic doctor may consider surgery when other treatments don’t relieve your pain or help you heal. Your surgeon will choose the least invasive procedure whenever possible, which may speed your recovery

Surgery can fix serious problems and injuries, allowing your elbow to move better and feel more stable.

• Arthroscopic surgery – Minimally invasive procedure that uses small incisions and a tiny camera to look inside your elbow and treat problems
• Fracture repair – Realigns and stabilizes broken bones in the elbow, often using pins, plates or screws
• Ligament repair or reconstruction – Repairs or replaces damaged ligaments in the elbow, especially in cases of instability or dislocation
• Nerve decompression – Relieves pressure on pinched nerves in your elbow for cubital tunnel syndrome
• Open surgery – Repairs damaged tissues or bones using a larger incision over the elbow
• Tendon repair – Fixes torn or damaged biceps or triceps tendons in your elbow
• Total joint replacement – Replaces a severely damaged elbow joint with an artificial implant

Ask for a Referral

Ask your primary care doctor for a referral to an orthopedic surgeon at OSF HealthCare. Need a primary care provider? Browse our directory.

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