Elbow Pain

With names like tennis and golfers elbow, you might think that elbow injuries are for sports enthusiasts only. While swinging a club or racket can result in elbow pain, there are plenty of other reasons why you may be suffering.

The elbow joint is where the two bones in the forearm and the upper arm bone come together. Anything interfering with its free motion, arthritis, tendon or ligament injuries, can cause you more problems than just taking you out of action on the links or court.

Some of the most common elbow injuries and conditions we treat include:

• Tennis and golfer’s elbow: Tendonitis or tendinosis, inflammation, damage or degeneration of the tendons. Frequently seen in those who play repetitive action sports, they are the most common causes of elbow pain and can arise among those who have never touched a racket or club.
• Osteoarthritis of the elbow: Osteoarthritis of the elbow occurs when the cartilage of the elbow is damaged or becomes worn, oftentimes simply from normal wear and tear as we age. It can result in swelling, pain and difficulty moving the elbow.
• Ulnar collateral ligament damage: The ulnar collateral is the ligament that connects the ulna, a lower arm bone, to the humerus. Damage to this ligament will result in pain and inflammation.
• Osteochondritis dissecans: A condition of the joints that occurs when the blood supply to the area is lost, resulting in the cartilage cracking and separating from the joint.

How they treat it

Conventional treatments for elbow pain will vary depending on the condition or injury that caused it. They usually involve use of risky drugs to suppress inflammation and temporarily mask the pain.

Of course, inflammation is not the cause of the pain, but the body’s natural response to injury and the trigger for it to begin the healing process. In fact, these drugs actually prevent the body from healing itself. Many of our patients have been put on increasing doses of pain medication for years, with no end in sight.

How we treat it

We have successfully treated patients for this condition for two decades now, including professional athletes who were able to avoid surgery and get back in the game, sometimes after a single treatment. At the Magaziner Center, we look at the entire elbow and the surrounding joints and tissue, as well as any other contributing factors. Through treatments including prolotherapy, platelet-rich plasma and cellular regenerative therapies, we stimulate the body’s natural healing process, giving it the tools it needs to heal without surgery, medications or side effects. We also work you with you on an anti-inflammatory based diet and supplement program.