Elbow Tendonitis

Elbow tendonitis is a condition caused by inflammation or micro-tears in tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the elbow bone. This injury often leads to a functional loss of grip and strength, affecting routine gestures like shaking someone’s hand, picking up a child or typing an email. It typically presents as pain on the outside of the elbow (tennis elbow) or on the inside (golfer’s elbow).

At Fondren Orthopedic Group, we combine specialized expertise with client-centric care to treat elbow tendonitis and restore your quality of life. We are one of the nation’s largest and most respected orthopedic practice groups specializing in the upper extremities.

Understanding Elbow Tendonitis

While this condition is typically associated with sports, it can also occur due to everyday overuse, such as:

• Repetitive gripping from using plumbing and carpentry tools, painting or chopping food.
• Excessive typing or using a mouse with poor ergonomics.
• Incorrect form when lifting gym weights or heavy objects.

Symptoms

The common symptoms you may experience include:

• Persistent pain: A burning or aching sensation on the inner or outer bump of the elbow.
• Radiating discomfort: Pain that shoots down the forearm toward the wrist.
• Weakened grip: Difficulty holding objects, opening jars or turning keys.
• Joint stiffness: Morning tightness that loosens with movement but returns after activity.

Diagnosis

At Fondren Orthopedic Group, we perform a thorough and precise diagnosis to verify your pain isn’t stemming from a nerve issue or arthritis. We begin with a physical examination that involves palpating specific areas of the arm. Your surgeon may ask you to move your wrist and fingers against resistance to isolate the damaged tendon. We also review your medical history, daily activities and work habits.

Our elbow tendonitis specialists use X-ray to rule out arthritis or fractures. In chronic or complex cases, we may order an MRI to view the severity of tendon damage.

Treatment

We aim to restore elbow function using evidence-based methods tailored to the severity of your case. Our specialists begin with conservative care, which involves identifying and stopping the movement causing the damage. We use a counterforce brace to take tension off the tendon and recommend anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling.

The next stages of elbow tendonitis treatment include:

• Therapy and intervention: If pain persists, we recommend physical therapy to lengthen and strengthen the forearm muscles. We may also use platelet-rich plasma therapy or corticosteroid injections to accelerate healing.
• Surgery: Some chronic cases may not respond to conservative care. In this case, we may recommend surgery to remove damaged tissue and reattach healthy tendon to the bone.

Why Choose Us for Elbow Tendonitis Orthopedics?

Fondren stands out for pairing expertise with compassionate care. We’ll treat you like family while providing personalized care tailored to your condition and lifestyle. Our board-certified specialists take the time to explain your options and provide clear guidance to help you make the best decision.

With state-of-the-art equipment, flexible scheduling, friendly customer service and a track record of positive outcomes, we’re confident that we can provide you with an exceptional experience.