Elbow

ANATOMY OVERVIEW OF THE ELBOW

Your elbow is a joint that bends and straightens like a hinge. It also performs an important function in the rotation of the forearm, providing the ability to turn your palm up (much like holding out your hand to accept money) and down (in the instance of patting the head of your pet or typing on a keyboard).

The elbow is made up of three (3) bones: the humerus (upper arm bone), radius and ulna (located in the lower arm between the wrist and elbow). Together, the bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles create a bony architecture that holds the arm together.

Have you ever hit the bony point of your elbow and felt a sharp electrical pain, tingling and numbing sensation? That’s your olecranon or funny bone which is located at the end of the ulna. You’re actually hitting the ulnar nerve that crosses the medial (inner) part of the elbow joint. The olecranon bursa also contains a thin, slippery sac of lubricating fluid that aids movement in the joint.

INJURIES TO THE ELBOW

An injury to the elbow is painful and limits the affected arm’s movement in everyday activities such as mowing the lawn, driving a car or carrying a child or bags of groceries. Falling on an oustretched arm can result in fracturing the radial head or olecranon. A distal humerus fracture (in the lower end of the upper humerus bone that connects to the elbow) often results in several broken pieces, referred to as a comminuted fracture.

Overuse injuries of the elbow typically afflict athletes who repeatedly throw a ball or other sports apparatus. This injury gradually worsens over time. Overthrowing injuries affect the tendons (flexor tendinitis) and ligaments (UCL injury) of the elbow. Stress fractures, which are tiny cracks located in the bone, can also occur when muscles around the elbow are not able to absorb the shock of repetitive use.

Although uncommon, adult elbow dislocations usually occur when falling on an outstretched hand or in a car accident when bracing for impact. However, partial dislocations, referred to as nursemaid’s elbow, are more common in children.

COMMON ELBOW CONDITIONS

Tennis elbow – an inflammation of the tendons, caused by overuse, that join the forearm muscles on the outside of the elbow

Elbow bursitis – when the bursa becomes irritated or inflamed causing it to fill with excess fluid

Cubital tunnel syndrome – when the ulnar nerve becomes compressed, most commonly behind the inside part of the elbow

WHEN TO SEE AN ELBOW SPECIALIST

Seek treatment if you are experiencing any of the following elbow symptoms:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Tenderness to the touch
• Stiffness
• A feeling of instability in the joint, as if your elbow is going to “pop out”

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Your doctor will discuss all treatment options with you. The best treatment for your injury or condition will be determined in combination with your overall health.

There are several nonoperative treatment options for elbow pain. These might include immobilizing the afflicted elbow by applying a cast or using a sling, physical therapy or pain management in the form of over-the-counter or prescribed medications and/or anti-inflammatories. If surgery is necessary, PSO elbow specialists can perform a wide variety of procedures ranging from minimally invasive to major reconstruction.