The elbow is a complex part of your body that is crucial for everyday movement. It is made up of three bones that work in tandem with various tendons and muscles. Together, they help you perform common household tasks like bringing in groceries, opening doors, or writing letters. But they can also help you tackle ambitious goals, like dead-lifting 300 pounds or summiting mountains.

When you experience elbow pain, it can limit your mobility and have a real impact on quality of life. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained physicians provide expert treatment through a variety of procedures, so you can get back to feeling normal.

Surgical Treatment

Regardless of your age, your elbows are prone to overuse injury. Before undergoing any treatment for your condition, your doctor will perform diagnostic tests to determine the extent of your condition. Proper diagnostic screening helps your physician create a customized treatment plan. No two injuries - or patients - are the same, so we design unique treatment plans to promote each patient's healing.

Depending on your diagnosis, the prescribed treatment may include surgical or non-surgical options. Follow the links below to view educational videos about specific elbow procedures performed by the expert physicians at Resurgens Orthopaedics:

Arthroscopic Debridement

Arthroscopic debridementduring this procedure, the surgeon uses an arthroscopic camera and other instruments to examine your joint for signs of damage. After diagnosing it, your physician may use one or more arthroscopic instruments to repair the joint. They may also elect to file down bone spurs and remove loose or damaged cartilage.

Aspiration of the Olecranon Bursa

Aspiration of the olecranon bursa is a procedure where the physician inserts a needle and guides it into your affected bursa. The needle is carefully pushed into the bursa, and excess fluid is drained to reduce the swelling. Medication is sometimes injected in patients with chronic bursitis. Extended pain relief usually begins within two to three days of the injection.

Cubital Tunnel Release

Cubital tunnel release: During this surgery, a surgeon "decompresses" pressure in the nerve by releasing tissue to open up your cubital tunnel. This procedure will keep your nerve from being pinched or irritated when you bend your elbow. Your surgeon may also decide to move the nerve out of the tunnel and reposition it. That's called "transposition." After surgery, you will wear a bandage and you may wear a sling.

Medial Epicondylectomy

Medial epicondylectomy is a surgical procedure to remove part of the medial epicondyle bone - sometimes called "the funny bone" - in order to release tension on the cubital tunnel. Removing the bone keeps the nerve from getting caught while bending your elbow. You may need to wear a splint for a few weeks after surgery.

Medial Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction (Tommy John Surgery)

Medial ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (Tommy John surgery): During this procedure, your surgeon repurposes a tendon from a different place in your body or from an organ donor. The surgeon drills tunnels through the humerus (upper arm bone) and ulna (a lower arm bone) at the points where the damaged ligament normally attaches. Your surgeon loops the harvested tendon through the tunnels in a figure-eight pattern. Then they suture the tendon to itself, stabilizing the joint. Finally they close the incision, and immobilize your elbow with a hard brace for one to two weeks. Eventually you will switch to a hinged brace and be able to begin limited arm exercise. As you recover and regain strength, you may begin supervised throwing at three to four months and competitive throwing at six to nine months. Most athletes regain their pre-injury level of function about 12-18 months after surgery.

Radial Tunnel Release

Radial tunnel release is a surgical procedure to relieve radial nerve compression. The surgeon carefully releases tissue to open up the radial tunnel and create more room for your nerve. This will keep your nerve from being pinched or irritated when you straighten your wrist and fingers. You may need to wear a sling for a period of time following surgery.

Ulnar Nerve Transposition

Ulnar nerve transposition: During this surgery, your surgeon carefully releases some tissue to free your ulnar nerve. Your surgeon moves the nerve and places it in front of the medial epicondyle. Moving the nerve in front of this bump will keep it from being pinched or irritated when you bend your elbow. After your surgery, you will wear a bandage and may require a sling.

Non-surgical Procedures

Not all elbow conditions require surgical intervention. Less severe conditions can be remedied with non-surgical treatment options. Non-surgical treatment options may include braces and/or casting, and physical rehabilitation.

At Resurgens, our elbow therapists have advanced training and expertise in rehabilitation and work closely with our elbow physicians to ensure that each patient is returned to the highest level of function and pain relief possible. Your physician and therapist will work with you to develop a treatment plan, which will be customized to your specific condition.

If you've been experiencing elbow problems, schedule an appointmentwith a Resurgens elbow physician today.