We are prone to meeting or getting involved in injuries during our daily life activities. But the risk is more when you engage yourself more in sports activities, especially when the sport involves repetitive movements of a specific body part. Injuries usually related to sports activities are painful and may lead to permanent damage. However, with appropriate medical intervention, you may prevent severe complications. The orthopedic shoulder & elbow surgeon La Jolla specialist Kristopher Downing, MD, offers quality orthopedic care to relieve pain and enhance healing. Read on to learn more about orthopedic care for shoulder and elbow injuries.
What are the common elbow injuries?
Elbow injuries occur due to repetitive movements causing damage to the tendons and the protective tissue in the elbow. It causes pain, inflammation, and stiffness. The common elbow injuries include golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow, and bursitis.
Other issues that may lead to elbow injuries include:
· Dislocations
· Osteoarthritis
· Cubital tunnel syndrome
· Fractures
Cubital tunnel syndrome occurs due to the damage or compression of the ulnar nerve that runs through your arm from the neck.
The cubital tunnel is found on the inside of your elbow. The ulnar nerve runs through the cubital tunnel. Damage to the ulnar nerve causes a tingling sensation, sharp and shooting pain, and weakness in your hand and forearm.
When to seek medical help for elbow pain?
It’s essential to seek medical attention when you develop an elbow injury. Usually, an elbow injury should heal within a few days, but if your pain does not improve, you should schedule an appointment with the team at Upper Extremity Specialists.
You should seek immediate medical care when your pain causes numbness, weakness, or the inability to grasp or hold something in your hand.
What are the treatment options for elbow injuries?
The team at Upper Extremity Specialists offers various surgical and nonsurgical treatments for different forms of elbow injuries. Your provider ensures to conduct a comprehensive exam, including MRIs, X-rays, and nerve conductions studies, to diagnose the cause of the pain and the problem.
Usually, your provider will recommend nonsurgical treatments before moving to other invasive techniques. They may recommend the following to help with pain relief.
· Injections
· Rest
· Brace for immobilization
Other treatments include reparative therapies, including platelet-rich plasma injections that help promote and quicken healing. The lipoaspirate mesenchymal stromal cell therapy also boosts body healing.
When the non-invasive treatments do not provide significant improvement, your provider advises a surgical procedure. Upper Extremity Specialists offers minimally invasive surgical techniques that promote faster healing and fewer complications. Some of the available surgical treatment options include:
· Arthroscopy
· Endoscopic cubital tunnel release
· Elbow joint replacement surgery
The treatment options for elbow injuries focus on alleviating pain and restoring your health. Your provider designs your personalized treatment plan to address your specific issues and allow you to resume your sports activities. You can prevent elbow injuries through
· Proper warm-up exercises, stretching before and after your sports activity
· Learning the suitable techniques for your sport
· Practicing exercises to strengthen your forearm
· Wearing an elbow splint while playing
If you experience elbow pain, do not wait until it’s too late to seek medical help right away. Contact Upper Extremities Specialists today to schedule your consultation.
