Elbow Surgery Specialist

What conditions affect the elbow?

Your elbow is a complex joint that connects your upper arm to your forearm. Ligaments, tendons, muscles, and cartilage provide joint stability and allow movement of your arm.

Many conditions can affect the structure and function of the elbow joint, including:

Elbow fracture

An elbow fracture is a break in the tip of your elbow, or olecranon, which is the pointy end of your ulna — the thin long bone in your forearm. 

Tennis elbow

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is an overuse injury that affects the tendon that connects your forearm muscles to the outer portion of your elbow.

Instability

With elbow instability, your elbow joint may pop or slip out of place because of damage to the bone or ligaments. 

Cubital tunnel syndrome

Cubital tunnel syndrome occurs from compression or irritation of the ulnar nerve as it passes through the inside portion of your elbow. 

Deformities

Elbow deformities may be congenital or develop after an injury. The deformity may alter the angle of the elbow joint when at your side. 

Arthritis

Arthritis in the elbow causes joint pain, inflammation, and stiffness.

When is elbow surgery needed?

When you visit Eduardo Gonzalez-Hernandez, MD PLLC with concerns about an elbow condition, Dr. Gonzalez-Hernandez conducts a thorough evaluation to determine the best treatment for you. 

He may first take a nonsurgical approach and provide treatments specific to your needs, such as activity modification, anti-inflammatory medication, or referral to the in-house occupational therapy department. 

If nonsurgical techniques fail to improve your elbow condition, Dr. Gonzalez-Hernandez may recommend surgical intervention. Elbow surgery may be needed to:

• Realign your complex elbow fracture
• Treat your nonhealing tennis elbow
• Remove loose cartilage or bone fragments
• Release scar tissue to improve range of motion
• Treat your arthritis

Dr. Gonzalez-Hernandez is a highly skilled upper extremity orthopaedic surgeon and recommends the treatment — surgical or nonsurgical — that provides you with the best outcomes. 

How is elbow surgery performed?

When performing elbow surgery, Dr. Gonzalez-Hernandez uses minimally invasive techniques. For elbow surgery, he performs an elbow arthroscopy. 

During the procedure, he inserts an arthroscope through a small incision in your elbow, which sends images of your elbow to a computer screen. He then makes additional incisions to insert the surgical tools he needs to perform your surgery. 

For elbow arthritis, Dr. Gonzalez-Hernandez performs joint replacement surgery. 

For expert care of your elbow condition, call the office of Eduardo Gonzalez-Hernandez, MD PLLC or book an appointment online today.