There are many factors that can cause injury to the elbow joint itself, and they can all contribute to the risk of developing conditions that affect the function and stability of the elbow. These causes are key to preventing them and managing them effectively.
- Overuse and Repetitive Strain
There are various reasons why you might develop an injury to your elbow, but one of the easiest ways to injure your elbow is by overuse and repetitive trauma to the elbow. The majority of injuries occur when we repeat the same motions over many times, as in sports such as tennis, and baseball. These movements can eventually progress to conditions like tendonitis , where the tendons become inflamed from repetitive stress. There may be risk for athletes and those with repetitive use elbow issues.
- Bad Technique and Participation in Sports
Playing sports or exercising with poor technique can cause the elbow joint to be under more pressure than necessary, leading to injury. In a baseball pitch, poor throwing mechanics overload the ulnar collateral ligament, which can become torn or deformed. Moreover, some sports, for example swimming and racquet sports, which involve repetitive overhead movement also increase the risk of elbow injuries. So, how could athletes, especially world-class athletes, not care about form and technique to minimize the risk of injury?
- Acute Trauma and Work-Related Risks
The second most common mechanism of elbow injury is acute trauma. Trauma can happen unexpectedly and cause injuries from falls, blunt objects or incidents with fractures and dislocations that require immediate treatment. Any job that involves repetitive arm movement or lifting, such as construction work or assembly lines, can contribute to conditions like tendonitis or bursitis. These physically demanding occupations may therefore be putting strain on the elbow joint resulting in pain and disability.
- Age and Degenerative Changes
As individuals age, their tendons and ligaments may weaken, which may lead to a higher risk of injuries. With time, degenerative changes of the elbow may occur leading to osteoarthritis, which is characterized by pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Age-related changes can be seen in older adults that may contribute to the increased occurrence of elbow injuries, underscoring the importance of appropriate exercise and preventative strategies for maintaining joint health throughout life.
Treatment of Elbow Injuries
Elbow treatment can generally be divided into surgical and non-surgical. How it is treated depends on the specific type and severity of the injury and the person’s activity level and general health.
Non-Surgical Treatment
The primary treatment for elbow injuries is conservative. The term “Non-Surgical Interventional Procedures” refers to techniques that can provide pain relief, restore function, and stimulate the healing processes without going through surgical procedures.
- Rest and Activity: Depending on the elbow podium may provide immediate relief which might mean taking a break from activities that trigger pain or stress the joint. Changing sports or activity techniques can help address elbow strain as well.
- Physical Therapy: A physical therapist will create a rehabilitation program tailored to your individual needs, probably including stretching and strengthening exercises. These exercises will help you increase flexibility, regain the range of motion and strengthen the surrounding elbow muscles. Soft tissue manipulation techniques may include mobilization of a joint, which can reduce pain and may improve function.
- Ice and Heat Therapy: This is the technique of decreasing swelling and pain by applying ice to the affected area. Apply ice for 15-20 minutes several times per day, especially after activities that aggravate the injury. Heat therapy can be effective for chronic conditions; it relaxes muscles and promotes better blood circulation.
- Medications: Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen or naproxen, can alleviate pain and inflammation. For certain inflammatory conditions such as tendonitis or bursitis, your doctor may give you a corticosteroid injection for severe inflammation.
- Ergonomic Adjustments: Employees whose injuries occur on the job may make ergonomic adjustments to their workstations to relieve stress on the elbow. This could mean using certain tools that reduce stress on the joint.
Surgical Treatment Options
In cases where non-surgical treatments have failed or the injury is severe, surgical intervention may be necessary. Specific surgical approaches depend on the type and severity of the injury.
- Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Reconstruction: Most referred to as Tommy John’s surgery, this intervention is instituted in full UCL tears, with a particular frequency in athletes. The damaged ligament is replaced with a tendon of the same person from another part of the body (autograft) or from a donor (allograft). The goal is to re-establish stability at the elbow and allow athletes to return to their sport.
- Distal Biceps Tendon Repair: If the distal biceps tendon has avulsed (torn from the bone), surgical repair is typically required. In this procedure, the tendon is reattached in the proximal direction using various instruments such as anchors and/or sutures to the radial tuberosity. Early surgical treatment is important for the best recovery and strength regaining.
- Elbow Arthroscopy: These fractures occur in the upper arm (humerus) bone near the shoulder. This technique uses a small camera (arthroscope) that is introduced into the joint through small incisions. Some of the most common procedures performed through an arthroscope are removal of loose bodies, repairing damaged cartilage, and debridement of inflamed tissue in cases of chronic tendonitis.
- Fracture Repair: Complex fractures about the elbow may need surgical realignment of the bones and stabilization of the fracture with plates, screws, or pins. This is especially critical for those that go through joint surfaces to restore normal function.
- Olecranon Bursitis Treatment: In chronic olecranon bursitis, which does not respond to conservative treatment, surgery should be performed. In severe cases, you may also need surgery where the inflamed bursa is surgically removed (bursectomy) to provide you some pain and swelling relief.
- Total elbow arthroplasty: This is an option for advanced arthritis or severe joint damage. This procedure replaces the damaged surfaces of the joints with prosthetic components and is reserved more often for older patients or those who have debilitating conditions in which other treatments have failed.
Our goal at the Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute (OSMI) is to provide our patients quality, cutting-edge orthopedic treatments, both surgical and non-surgical. If you have questions about elbow pain or elbow injury treatment please submit an online appointment request or contact our office at 817-529-1900.