Get Relief From Arm Pain & Elbow Injuries

- Arm Injuries & Elbow Injuries, Diagnoses & Treatment

Even though the elbow is one of the least injured joints, it can still sustain an injury due to trauma, osteoarthritis or overuse of the joint through repetitive activities such as tennis, painting, and yard work. Other common arm injuries that may be experienced as a result of overuse include biceps tendon tear or elbow tendonitis.

Elbow Injury & Arm Injury Symptoms

Some of the symptoms that indicate an elbow injury or arm injury include:

Elbow joint pain – especially when straightening the arm
Dull ache when arm is at rest
Numbness or tingling below the elbow
Inability to move elbow normally
Swelling
Snap or pop within elbow
Bruised elbow
Elbow joint doesn’t feel stable
Elbow pain when making a fist
Elbow pain when opening the fingers
Weak grip
Elbow pain when grasping objects, especially when the arm is extended

If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, contact Gotham City Orthopedics to help relieve your arm pain or make the necessary treatment recommendations for an elbow injury.

Gotham City Orthopedics provides the following procedures for elbow / arm injuries and the relief of elbow pain and arm pain. Click on a topic below to learn more:

Open Reduction Internal Fixation of Distal Humerus

The Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) of the distal humerus is an operation that fixes fractures in the humerus that are generally difficult to secure with a cast or splint (external fixation).

The broken bones are fixed in place by various wires, nails or pins so as to ensure the best possible healing between them. This minimizes complications in which the bones either do not join correctly (malunion) or start healing without forming a bond between the two (nonunion).

ORIF requires minimal hospitalization and has excellent potential for providing the most efficient healing possible. All surgical techniques carry risk and it is important you discuss this with your doctor during consultation.

Application of External Fixator (Olecranon, Coronoid, Radial Head Fracture)

The surgical method of external fixation is utilized in bone fractures whose alignment does not permit the use of a cast. The procedure requires multiple holes drilled into the uninjured parts of the bone, into which bolts, pins or rods attach through the skin and muscle to a rigid supporting structure. This is especially helpful in the elbow, because its complex nature could result in incorrect healing. The application and removal of the external fixator is performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Lager has performed many of these procedures and uses a "hinged" external fixator, which allows for elbow motion while the fractures are healing.

Radial Head Replacement

The radial head of the elbow is unusually susceptible to fracture compared to the rest of the elbow joint. This has lead to the development of many different methods of relieving the pain and stiffness associated with the problem.

One procedure popular in the case of complex elbow trauma is Radial Head Replacement (also known as Radial Head Arthroplasty). This procedure removes the deformed radial head and replaces it with a metal prosthesis.

The removal of extra fragments of bone, as well as debridement of the dead tissue caused by the trauma, is possible through arthroscopy. This requires only a few small incisions, called portals, and has a quicker recovery time. The actual replacement of the radial head requires open surgery to fully visualize the joint and ensure a firm attachment of the prosthetic.

Ligament Reconstruction

The ligaments of the human body connect and support the bones and joints necessary for movement. These tissues are composed of a great deal of collagen, a protein complex that possesses immense tensile strength. However, this tissue also tends to have poor blood flow due to the miniscule amount of living cells present. This causes ligaments to have very little, if any, ability to repair themselves after serious injury.

Surgeons can repair ligaments through a series of incisions after harvesting a replacement tissue to be implanted. In the case of the commonly injured Ulnar Collateral Ligament in the elbow, the semitendinosus, palmaris longus, or the gracilis tendons may be used to substitute for the defective ligament. The excess tissue remaining from the previous ligament is excised and the chosen tendon is threaded through drill holes and secured with screws or anchors.

Acute and Chronic Distal Biceps Repair/Reconstruction

The biceps tendon attachment in the elbow helps that joint bend and rotates the forearm. Injury to the tendon can result from overactivity or trauma, and can result in inflammation or a partial or complete tear. These injuries can cause severe pain, bruising and weakness.

Treatment for biceps tendon injuries may only require rest and anti-inflammatory medications, but more severe cases may require surgery. Surgical treatment depends on the type and severity of the condition. Biceps tendon repair requires making an incision and reattaching the tendon to the radius bone with anchors in a special button.

Helpful Links

For your information, Gotham City Orthopedics provides the following links to the American Academy of Orthopedics website, which describes some of the arm and elbow injuries we treat, including:

There are many causes of arm pain that could suggest arm or elbow injuries or other serious problems. It’s important to have your symptoms evaluated and identified as soon as possible.

If you’re suffering from an elbow injury or arm pain, Gotham City Orthopedics can diagnose the problem and recommend the best treatment for your situation.