The elbow is a complex joint. Conditions of the elbow can lead to pain or reduction in function. These can have devastating effects on daily activities, work, hobbies and sport. It is vital to have the correct diagnosis made, so that appropriate treatment can be initiated.
Elbow Pain & Stiffness
These are common presentations for various elbow conditions. They may occur in isolation or simultaneously.
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Tennis Elbow
This condition usually occurs with repetitive movement but can also happen after a specific injury. The pathology is in the tendon that attaches to prominent outer bone of the elbow (lateral epicondyle). The tendon may be degenerate, inflamed or may even have a small tear.
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Golfer’s Elbow
This condition is related to overuse and is related to pathology in the tendon attaching to the prominent bone on the inner part of the elbow (medial epicondyle).
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Olecranon Bursitis
The bursa is a cushion that is present at the back of the elbow. It allows the skin to glide over the bone on movement. This condition presents as painful swelling at the back of the elbow. The pain and the swelling can vary in intensity and size respectively. Once it occurs, the condition can become recurrent. It can hinder elbow and arm function as resting on the elbow is painful.
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Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
The ulnar nerve is one of the major nerves of the arm. It innervates the small muscles of the hand and gives sensation to the little finger and half of the ring finger.
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Distal Biceps Tendinopathy
This is degeneration (wear and tear) of the tendon that attaches the biceps muscle of the upper arm to the radius bone of the forearm. This typically causes pain at the front of the elbow that may be made worse by lifting or rotational movement of the forearm.
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Distal Biceps Tendon Rupture
Biceps is a large muscle in the front of your upper arm. It is attached to the radius bone of the forearm by a strong tendon (distal biceps tendon). This tendon can rupture with a very strong contraction of the biceps muscle. It may be felt as a pop in the elbow. This usually happens when […]
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Elbow Instability / Dislocation
The elbow dislocates when one or more of these elements are damaged. If the dislocation only involves the soft tissue elements (ligaments and muscles) it is termed a ‘simple dislocation’.
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Loose Bodies
In this condition, there are loose cartilage or small bony fragments floating within the joint space. These can occur after injuries or with early arthritis, where there is damage to the cartilage or bone.
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Elbow Arthritis
Arthritis refers to loss of the smooth surface (articular cartilage) of the joint. This can occur from general wear and tear (osteoarthritis) but can also happen after inflammatory conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis) or after an injury or trauma (post traumatic arthritis).
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