Medical and technological advances are making treating elbow injuries easier and more successful than even. The latest treatments can be done as part of a comprehensive care program with a full spectrum of patient care services through each stage of treatment and recovery. This approach gets patients the specialized attention they need at the onset of common problems like elbow tendonitis and elbow dislocations.  

Immobilization allows some injuries to heal, while others may need a surgical approach. Patients can receive the best treatment plan at specialty clinics like MidAmerica Orthopaedics that offer a wide range of on-site services, including orthopaedic immediate care and physical and occupational therapy. Below are some of the latest treatments available for elbow injuries today: 

Arthroscopic Debridement of the Elbow (Minimally Invasive Elbow Arthroscopy) 

Arthroscopy debridement is a very common type of surgery that can remove damaged bits of cartilage and tissues to help reduce pain and improve movement, and it can often be done on an outpatient basis. It involves inserting an arthroscope – a small, pencil-thin instrument with a camera attached – into the body to examine the injured area and determine the best way to proceed. Because the elbow consists of multiple bones held together by ligaments, arthroscopy is often necessary to enable doctors to visualize what is happening within the joint. 

With arthroscopic debridement, the surgeon makes two or more small incisions in the elbow, followed by an injection of fluid into the elbow to examine the joint. Then, after inserting a small, arthroscopic camera and other instruments inside the elbow, the surgeon can view the procedure on a monitor, carefully examining the joint for signs of damage. This procedure makes it possible to both diagnose the problem and use one or more of the arthroscopic instruments to repair the joint. 

The Tenex Procedure for Elbow Tendinosis or Tendinitis (Tennis Elbow) 

This new, nonsurgical procedure helps patients suffering from chronic tendon pain (tendinosis or tendinitis). A buildup of scar tissue on tendons in the elbow can be caused by injuries or degenerative conditions, resulting in chronic pain and limited mobility. With this procedure, ultrasonic frequencies are used to break up and remove damaged tissue on the tendons so that only healthy tissue remains. Because it is less invasive than surgery, one of the benefits is that it can be done on an outpatient basis. Generally, only one treatment is needed. 

Synovectomy to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis 

Synovectomy is an innovative way to treat arthritis symptoms. It is especially successful among patients in the early stages of inflammatory arthritis who are experiencing little or no cartilage damage. The procedure involves removing the synovium, the membrane lining the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other forms of inflammatory arthritis can cause the synovium to become inflamed, which erodes the cartilage and causes pain and swelling. Removing the synovium temporarily stops this process. Rehabilitation is required, and the symptoms may come back as the disease progresses. 

Revision Elbow Surgery 

Sometimes more than one surgery is necessary to rectify a traumatic injury. In addition, joint operations may need adjustments after the primary surgery. Known as revision surgery, there are various reasons this might be necessary, including: 

• Aseptic loosening  
• An infection  
• A fracture  

Even a successful elbow joint replacement may eventually loosen or wear out, necessitating a second “revision” surgery to ease the symptoms. The type of revision surgery recommended will depend on the root cause of the problem.  

Visit MidAmerica’s Hand to Shoulder Clinic for Direct-to-Specialist Care 

The Hand to Shoulder Clinic within MidAmerica Orthopaedics is devoted exclusively to treating patients with injuries and conditions of the upper extremities. With a direct-to-specialist approach, patients have immediate access to an on-site orthopaedic specialist who can provide a prompt and accurate diagnosis and recommend the best treatment plan. As a result, treatment is often begun on the same day, reducing the patient’s recovery time.  

The team of elbow specialists at MidAmerica is made up of award-winning physicians at the top of their field. We can answer questions and offer solutions for a broad range of conditions affecting the elbow. Every aspect of treatment can be provided at one location. Call us today at (708) 237-7200, or request an appointment online to determine the best treatment plan for you.