When Is Elbow Surgery Necessary?

Elbow pain treatment can include anything from OTC pain medications to arthroscopic elbow surgery. The goal in all treatments is to restore freedom of movement and your natural strength during everyday tasks, without the pain.

Treating elbow pain effectively requires a few steps. You’ll need a detailed evaluation from a local San Diego orthopedic surgeon who has significant experience in the area of sports medicine. This evaluation will include a physical exam, a medical history, a series of mobility tests and, if necessary, some imaging.

Common takeaway prescriptions may include physical therapy, corticosteroid or platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections, and plenty of rest. You may also be scheduled for a surgery to correct any tissue that has become too damaged or obstructive to allow for safe and easy healing:

There are various procedures that may be recommended, depending on the cause of the elbow pain. Examples of surgical procedures that may be used include fracture repair, arthroscopy, and elbow replacement.

For the most complete local evaluation, get the standard in San Diego elbow surgery. Contact Dr. William Holland to set up an appointment today.

Is Golfer’s Elbow Serious?

Golfer’s elbow, like so many other ailments of the elbow, can start out mild but quickly escalate into debilitating pain. Most people begin with rest, ice, and possibly analgesics, but when the pain lingers past the point where self-care is no longer working, then it’s time to see an elbow pain doctor here in San Diego.

Golfer’s elbow is technically known as medial epicondylitis. It arises from overuse – too much swinging, pulling, lifting, and otherwise stressing the muscles and tendons in your elbow. When that overuse becomes longstanding or chronic, the pain may be proportionally persistent.

Visiting an elbow pain specialist in San Diego for golfer’s elbow will typically leave you fitted with a brace. You may also receive some stronger pain management medications, and possibly platelet rich plasma injections, which involve spinning out your own blood and re-injecting it at the site to promote faster healing.

If all else fails, there’s elbow surgery. This is typically a last resort, but it can also be effective. When swelling or damage gets too great to clear on its own, a San Diego elbow surgeon can help to create more room in the joint, and possibly replace damaged tissue.

For more information how to treat golfer’s elbow, call us anytime.