Elbow problems are a common complaint. That’s because this hinge joint is highly vulnerable to injury and damage. The good news is that Thomas F. Saylor, MD, can help.
Dr. Saylor brings his skill in treating hand and upper extremity conditions, such as elbow problems, to Orthopaedic Care Specialists in North Palm Beach, Florida. He shares these insights into elbow conditions and what can increase your chances of having problems.
Elbow problems may be common, but we don’t spend much time talking about them. You may have heard of the terms “tennis” or “golfer’s elbow,” but these aren't the only problems that can affect this part of your body. Instead, you can experience pain for several reasons, including:
You can even experience referred pain in your elbow because of a problem in another part of your body, such as your wrist or shoulder.
There are several types of elbow problems, but most of these joint injuries occur because of overuse, arthritis, or trauma.
Your elbow joint forms where three bones come together: the humerus bone in your upper arm and the ulna and radius in your forearm. The end of each bone has a coating of cartilage so they can slide against each other and absorb shock, and they’re held in place by ligaments. You also have tendons attached to your elbow that connect your muscles and you also have nerves that travel all the way down your arm.
Together, all of these structures provide your arm with movement and relay sensations, such as pain, touch, and temperature. However, each of these components can also sustain damage, especially from strain on a daily basis.
It may be obvious that playing certain sports, such as football, soccer, or hockey, can increase your risk of suffering an elbow injury. However, other activities can lead to elbow injuries also.
Repetitive elbow movements are a leading cause of injury. These motions can occur during work or recreation, and they basically include any repetitive, strenuous actions that involve your elbow. For example:
Not warming up properly before engaging in these activities can also increase your chances of damaging tissue in your elbow.
Unfortunately, your chance of having elbow problems increases with age. In fact, issues like tennis elbow become more common once you reach age 30 and accelerate after age 40.
Older adults also have higher chances of suffering fractures because of lost muscle mass and bone strength. Plus, it’s common to experience impaired vision and balance with age, which can increase your chances of suffering fall injuries.
No matter what’s to blame for your elbow pain, Dr. Saylor can help. After reaching a diagnosis, he may recommend a variety of approaches, such as:
And, if you need elbow surgery or a joint replacement, Dr. Saylor specializes in arthroscopic techniques. This expertise enables him to perform even the most complex elbow reconstructions in a minimally invasive way, so you can recover faster and with fewer risks.
If you suffer with elbow pain, get relief by booking an appointment online or over the phone with Orthopaedic Care Specialists today.
