Elbow
At OrthoSC, the Grand Strand's largest and most comprehensive orthopedic practice, our specialty-trained doctors are dedicated to providing world-class care for a variety of elbow injuries and conditions.
When a patient sees an elbow specialist, that doctor typically examines the entire elbow, which is comprised of the humerus, radius, and ulna bones, as well as the wrist, forearm, and shoulder, before giving a diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
While an injury such as tennis elbow (a type of tendon injury) is relatively common, only an elbow doctor has specialized expertise regarding the elbow. Because of this, a patient should seek out an experienced elbow specialist who can advise on everything from pain-reducing home treatments to anti-inflammatory medications to surgery, such as cubital tunnel release or elbow replacement.
Elbow doctors often work with people who have arthritis, and they offer patients elbow treatments that can reduce pain and help improve one's quality of life. Another patient an elbow doctor works with frequently is a golfer. An athlete with tennis elbow will also seek out an elbow doctor to examine their elbow as well as their wrist and hand. However, a person does not need to be a golfer or a tennis player to develop tennis elbow or golfer's elbow; anyone who overuses their elbow joint may also develop those injuries.
When It's Time to Seek Elbow Care
When you have elbow pain, it's important to pay close attention to your symptoms so you can give your doctor a more detailed description of your elbow pain when you go to your appointment, which in turn helps your doctor diagnose and treat you. Although every person experiences elbow issues differently, here are some examples of common elbow symptoms you may be noticing:
- Aching
- Fingers feel numb
- Hand weakness
- Muscle weakness
- Radiating pain from the elbow to the wrist
- Radiating pain from the shoulder to the elbow
- Swelling around the joint
- Tenderness
- Tingling
Having any of the symptoms above may indicate one of the following common elbow problems or injuries:
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Collateral ligament damage
- Cubital tunnel syndrome
- Dislocation
- Fracture
- Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis)
- Stress fracture
- Tendon conditions, such as tendonitis
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
Taking good care of yourself means seeing a specialist when you suspect you have a problem and taking action sooner rather than later. In doing so, you may be able to avoid further pain or the need for surgery. You may also reduce the risk of having your condition worsen or developing severe problems, for instance, if the damage advances over time and you begin to lose mobility in the affected joint. To discuss your options, schedule an appointment with one of our elbow doctors by calling (843) 353-3460 or scheduling an appointment online.
When you need the right care, right now for bone, joint, and muscle needs, walk into our orthopedic Urgent Care in Market Common or North Myrtle Beach seven days a week to get immediate help.
At OrthoSC, we believe in partnership between patients and care providers. Our Patient Education Center is designed to provide you with the information you need to be an active participant in your healthcare journey. Our experts have put together convenient online guides for specialty care, surgical care programs, videos, articles, and more to guide you in recovery.
Our World-Class Elbow Experts
Experience World-Class Elbow Care at OrthoSC
At OrthoSC, our experts apply their medical knowledge and skills to treating you and your elbow issue. They are dedicated to providing each patient with specialized orthopedic care and are equipped with the most advanced resources, which allows your specialist to focus exclusively on diagnosing and treating your elbow pain.
Our board-certified and fellowship-trained doctors, Dr. Brian Blair, Dr. Nathaniel Evans, Dr. David Everman, Dr. J. Christopher Gayton, Dr. Max Gehrman, Dr. Robert Leak, Dr. Edward Mikol, Dr. Andrew Putman, and Dr. Todd Tupis, are highly skilled in their respected field of evaluating and treating elbow injuries and conditions. A core component of their care is ensuring that every patient is educated about the pain-relieving treatment options that are available to them. Our doctors also consult with their patients, offering suggestions, listening to questions, and helping them decide which course to take. Finally, be assured that our elbow specialists are committed to pursuing nonsurgical options first, such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or injections. At the same time, our elbow surgeons will recommend surgery if they believe that is the best option to restore proper function. Regardless of the treatment you ultimately receive for your elbow pain, our doctors will make sure to educate you about your condition, treatment options, and what you can expect afterward.
Having questions or concerns about your elbow issue is normal. Schedule an appointment with one of our experienced elbow surgeons by scheduling an appointment online or by calling one of our convenient locations in Conway, Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach – Carolina Forest, Myrtle Beach – Market Common, or North Myrtle Beach at (843) 353-3460. We’re ready to help restore you to better health.