Elbow

At Heartland Orthopedic Specialists, our specialty-trained elbow doctors are the experts in assessing, diagnosing, and treating elbow injuries and conditions.

The elbow is one of the largest joints in the body, connecting the bones of the forearm (radius and ulna) to the upper arm bone (humerus) through a network of ligaments and muscles. Offering structure and durability, the elbow also allows for a great deal of range of motion. 

However, because it is one of the most frequently exercised and most stressed joints, it is also prone to injury, such as hyperextension and fractures, as well as orthopedic conditions, such as osteoarthritis and bursitis. 

Common ailments of the elbow include, but are not limited to:

• Bursitis
• Golfer’s elbow
• Tennis elbow
• Osteoarthritis
• Dislocation
• Fracture 

The most common causes of pain in the elbow are sudden or acute injuries, followed by overuse injuries which cause inflammation over time and can become extremely uncomfortable. Most chronic conditions afflicting the elbow, such as elbow osteoarthritis, typically affect people who already have a history of elbow injuries.

Lingering elbow pain generally isn’t serious, but because of the joint’s frequency of use, it certainly has the potential to disrupt your lifestyle, cause considerable pain, and restrict you from participating in activities you enjoy.