The elbow is one of the weakest joints in your body and is commonly affected by sports and physical activity. If you’re experiencing elbow joint pain, you may need an orthopedic specialist to evaluate what may be causing your pain.
The board-certified specialists at ValleyOrtho can evaluate, diagnose and recommend non-surgical or surgical treatment options for your elbow and upper extremity condition. Many elbow conditions can be managed without surgery with things such as; physical therapy or home exercises, injections, bracing, or medications.
If your elbow condition does require surgery, your doctor will use state-of-the-art technology and techniques to perform expert surgery. At Valley View, elbow surgery is always paired with physical or occupational therapy and strengthening exercises to help you recover and return to normal activity.
Some of the common elbow conditions we treat:
The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is a thick triangular band in the elbow that connects the humerus to the ulna. This ligament is crucial for elbow stability and is the most commonly injured ligament in throwers. Injuries to the UCL can range from inflammation to complete tears. If the ligament is torn, a surgery known as Tommy John Surgery, can be done to replace the damaged ligament with a new one either taken from elsewhere in the body, or from a donor. This treatment helps athletes return to throwing sports.
Cubital tunnel syndrome is a condition that occurs when the ulnar nerve is pinched around the elbow, causing numbness, tingling, and pain from your elbow to your fingers. Often times this can be relieved with conservative treatments such as; activity modifications, bracing, medications, or therapy. However, if these treatments are not successful, you may require surgery to release the pressure on the nerve.