What is elbow pain?
The elbow is a hinge joint that connects the two bones of your lower arm (radius and ulna) to your upper arm bone (humerus). Tendons and ligaments surround your elbow joint to provide a smooth arc of movement while cartilage cushions the ends of your bones.
When any part of your elbow becomes damaged due to injury or disease, elbow pain may result. Dr. Vyas offers advanced treatments for elbow pain, including regenerative medicine therapies like platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
What causes elbow pain?
Many causes of elbow pain stem from overuse rather than an isolated injury. Dr. Vyas treats a variety of conditions that cause elbow pain, including:
Arthritis of the elbow
There are more than 100 types of arthritis, but the most common form to affect the elbow is rheumatoid arthritis. This disease causes your body to attack the lining of your elbow joint, which leads to inflammation and pain.
Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow is a common condition that occurs when the tendons on the outer side of your elbow become irritated and inflamed. This is a common overuse injury among tennis players, but it also affects people who work with their hands, such as carpenters and plumbers.
Golfer’s elbow
Golfer’s elbow is a similar condition to tennis elbow, but it affects the inner side of your arm. This overuse injury is less common than tennis elbow and affects golfers and non-golfers alike.
How is elbow pain treated?
First, Dr. Vyas reviews your symptoms and medical history. He carefully examines your elbow and may take tests, such as an X-ray.
After he diagnoses the cause of your elbow pain, Dr. Vyas develops an individualized treatment plan. Elbow pain usually improves with nonsurgical treatments, including:
- Resting the elbow
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
- Physical therapy
- Steroid joint injections
- Regenerative medicine techniques, such as PRP
Severe elbow pain that doesn’t improve with conservative treatment may require surgery. Dr. Vyas is a fellowship-trained arthroscopic surgeon who uses minimally invasive techniques whenever possible.
For expert care of elbow pain, call Orange County Orthopaedic Group to book an appointment today.
