Elbow

The elbow is essential to everyday movement—whether you’re lifting groceries, working at a desk, or playing your favorite sport. When pain strikes, it can limit your function and affect your quality of life. At Aligned Orthopedic Partners, our fellowship-trained orthopedic elbow specialists provide expert diagnosis and advanced treatment for both common and complex elbow conditions.

What Causes Elbow Pain?

Elbow pain can result from overuse, repetitive motion, injury, or age-related wear and tear. Our team uses advanced diagnostic tools to get to the bottom of your pain—ensuring an accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan tailored to your lifestyle, activity level, and recovery goals.

Common Elbow Conditions We Treat

  • Tennis elbow
  • Golfer’s elbow
  • Elbow arthritis
  • Elbow Contracture Release
  • Cubital Tunnel Release
  • Bursitis
  • Tendonitis and overuse injuries
  • Ligament injuries (UCL tears)
  • Nerve entrapment
  • Elbow instability or dislocation
  • Fractures and traumatic injuries

Non-Surgical & Surgical Treatment Options

At Aligned Orthopedic Partners, we emphasize conservative, evidence-based treatments when possible. Your care plan may include:

Non-Surgical Options:

  • Bracing and activity modification
  • Physical and occupational therapy
  • Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Corticosteroid injections

Surgical Options:

When conservative treatment isn’t enough, our orthopedic surgeons offer:

  • Arthroscopic elbow surgery
  • Ligament reconstruction (Tommy John surgery)
  • Tendon repair
  • Nerve decompression
  • Elbow fracture fixation or joint replacement

Why Choose Us for Elbow Care in Virginia?

At Aligned Orthopedic Partners, our team of elbow specialists provides advanced care for everything from overuse injuries to complex elbow conditions. Whether you’re dealing with tendon pain, nerve irritation, or recovering from a traumatic injury, we’re here to support your healing and long-term joint health.

Our Elbow Care Approach Includes:

  • Fellowship-trained orthopedic elbow surgeons with expertise in diagnosing and surgically treating conditions like tennis elbow, ligament tears, fractures, and arthritis

  • Fellowship-trained sports medicine physicians focused on non-surgical management, injury prevention, and activity modification for long-term function and wellness

  • A collaborative, multidisciplinary team that includes physical therapists, rehabilitation specialists, and clinical staff who tailor care plans to your specific symptoms, goals, and lifestyle

  • Access to advanced diagnostics, minimally invasive procedures, and the latest evidence-based treatments to ensure precise care and quicker recovery

From conservative therapies to complex surgical procedures, our elbow experts deliver personalized care designed to restore function, reduce pain, and get you back to the activities you enjoy.

Elbow Specialists Serving Tysons, Virginia & the Greater DMV Region

Our elbow specialists treat patients across Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. From professionals in Tysons to active individuals throughout the DMV, we help patients of all ages return to pain-free motion with confidence.

If elbow pain is limiting your function or daily life, don’t wait. Schedule a consultation with one of our orthopedic elbow specialists in Tysons, Virginia. Call (833) 992-5446 or schedule your appointment online today.

Elbow Conditions & Treatments:

Understanding Elbow Arthritis

Elbow arthritis occurs when the smooth cartilage lining the joint where your upper arm bone (humerus) meets your forearm bones (radius and ulna) breaks down.  This leads to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in your elbow. Osteoarthritis is the most common type, but it can also be caused by injuries or other forms of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis.

Signs You Might Have Elbow Arthritis

  • Pain in the elbow, sometimes worsened by gripping or twisting motions.
  • Stiffness, especially after periods of inactivity.
  • Reduced range of motion, making it difficult to fully bend or straighten your arm.
  • Creaking, clicking, or grinding sensations in the joint.

Your doctor will diagnose elbow arthritis through:

  • Physical exam: Assessing your symptoms and range of motion.
  • Medical history: Discussing previous injuries or conditions.
  • Imaging: X-rays or potentially MRI for a detailed view of the joint.

Treatment Options: Your Path to Relief

Treatment usually begins with non-invasive options and may progress depending on  severity:

Lifestyle Changes:

  • Resting the joint and avoiding activities that worsen pain.
  • Low-impact exercise to maintain flexibility.
  • Medication: Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers and anti-inflammatories.
  • Therapy:  Physical therapy can improve strength, range of motion, and function.

Injections:

  • Cortisone: Decreases inflammation for temporary relief.
  • Orthobiologics: PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) or others might help promote healing.
  • Surgery: In severe cases, surgical options like joint cleaning or elbow replacement may be necessary.

The ‘Treatment Gap’ and Potential Solutions

If conservative treatments don’t provide enough relief, but you’re not ready for surgery, you might be facing a frustrating “treatment gap.”  Talk to your doctor about exploring options like orthobiologic injections, which harness your body’s healing ability and may bridge this gap.

Understanding Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Tennis elbow, despite the name, isn’t just for tennis players! It’s a common overuse injury that happens when the tendons attaching to the outer part of your elbow (the lateral epicondyle) become stressed and painful. These tendons are important for straightening your wrist and fingers.

How Do I Know If I Have Tennis Elbow?

  • Pain on the outside of your elbow, sometimes spreading down your forearm.
  • Worsening pain with activities involving gripping, twisting, or lifting.
  • Weakness in your grip.
  • Tenderness when pressing on the bony bump on the outside of your elbow.

What Causes Tennis Elbow?

While athletes who use repetitive wrist motions are at risk, tennis elbow can affect anyone who overuses these tendons, whether through sports, work, or everyday activities.

Treatment: Getting You Back in Action

Treatment often starts with these steps:

  • Rest and Modify Activities: Give your arm a break and avoid activities that make it worse.
  • Ice and Medication: Reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Bracing: A forearm brace can take pressure off the injured tendons.
  • Physical Therapy: Specialized exercises strengthen the muscles and promote healing.

What If These Don’t Help?

If the pain persists, your doctor may suggest:

Injections:

  • Cortisone: Temporary inflammation relief.
  • Orthobiologics (like PRP): These use your body’s own healing factors.
  • Ultrasound-guided procedures (like Tenex): These target the damaged tendon for faster recovery.

Important Notes

  • Early diagnosis helps: Treatment can prevent the problem from worsening.
  • Recovery takes commitment: Physical therapy and at-home exercises make a big difference.
  • Don’t let tennis elbow stop you! Talk to your doctor about the best treatment plan for your needs.

Understanding Golfer’s Elbow

Repetitive use of the elbow, such as swinging a golf club or shoveling snow, can contribute to a condition called golfer’s elbow. These activities put strain on the forearm, leading to pain that begins on the inner bump of your elbow that can radiate toward your wrist.

Other activities that can cause golfer’s elbow include:

  • Using hand tools
  • Chopping wood with an ax
  • Gardening

What Are The Main Symptoms of Golfer’s Elbow?

  • Pain and tenderness on the inner side of the elbow, specifically at the bony bump called the medial epicondyle
  • Pain that radiates up the forearm
  • Discomfort while flexing the wrist
  • Pain when gripping objects or lifting items
  • Challenges or weakness when grasping something or forming a fist

Certain symptoms of golfer’s elbow are similar to those of cubital tunnel syndrome, which happens due to nerve compression. To eliminate this possibility, your physician might conduct tests.

Golfer’s elbow can be frustrating. No one likes their activities to become limited by pain. At Aligned Orthopedic Partners, we offer high-quality surgery for golfer’s elbow. We use a range of treatment options to relieve the pain associated with golfer’s elbow.

Treatment

PRP for Golfer’s Elbow: A Potential Solution for Persistent Pain
Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) is an overuse injury affecting the tendons on the inside of your elbow. These tendons are important for flexing your wrist and fingers, which makes it painful to grip your club or perform other everyday tasks. If rest, ice, and physical therapy haven’t provided enough relief, PRP therapy offers a promising option to jumpstart your healing.

Understanding PRP

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) is derived from your own blood. Platelets contain growth factors, which play a crucial role in your body’s natural healing process. By concentrating and injecting these growth factors directly into the injured tendons, PRP can:

  • Reduce pain and inflammation: This provides more immediate relief than waiting for your body to slowly heal.
  • Promote tissue regeneration: PRP helps your body build new, healthy tendon tissue for a lasting solution.
  • Accelerate recovery: This gets you back on the golf course faster.

Is PRP Right for Your Golfer’s Elbow?

You might be a good candidate for PRP if:

  • Traditional treatments haven’t provided the relief you need.
  • You want to explore a minimally invasive option before considering surgery.
  • You’re motivated to participate in physical therapy to maximize your results.

The PRP Procedure for Golfer’s Elbow

  • Blood Draw: A small sample of your blood is taken.
    Preparation: Your blood is processed to isolate the platelet-rich plasma.
    Injection: Using ultrasound guidance, your doctor precisely injects the PRP into the damaged tendon.
    Recovery: You may experience some temporary soreness, but following your doctor’s rehab plan is crucial.

Important Considerations

  • PRP is safe: As it uses your own blood, there’s minimal risk of side effects.
  • Research is supportive: While more studies are ongoing, existing evidence suggests PRP can effectively treat golfer’s elbow.
  • Patience is key: PRP stimulates your body’s healing, which takes time. Full benefits may not be seen for several weeks.

Talk to Your Doctor

If persistent golfer’s elbow pain has you sidelined, consult your doctor about PRP therapy. They can assess your case and help determine if it’s the right path for you.

When Surgery May Be Necessary

At Aligned Orthopedic Partners, we focus on non-surgical methods as the first treatment for this particular condition before surgery. One common option is lumbar epidural steroid injections, while physical therapy is a good option, too. If non-surgical treatments do not lead to the pain getting better, we can explore the possibility of surgery.

Understanding Golfer’s Elbow Surgery

  • The outpatient surgery that we offer is called medial epicondyle surgery.
  • During this procedure, we either remove the affected portion of the tendon or perform a tendon release.
  • Following the surgery, we will schedule multiple follow-up appointments to make sure you are healing properly and that your pain is getting better.

Doctors Who Specialize:

All Specializations:

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