Elbow Surgeon & Treatment

Elbow Surgeon in Melbourne

At Melbourne Arm Clinic, our elbow specialist may help with diagnosing and caring for a range of elbow-related conditions and upper limb pain. Our elbow surgeon is well versed in treating sports injuries and trauma, with a range of procedures and techniques including elbow arthroscopy.

The elbow surgeon at Melbourne Arm Clinic holds a fellowship from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and is a member of the Australian Orthopaedic Association. They are well-practiced in specialist areas of the elbow joint and can perform a range of shoulder, elbow surgeries, such as joint replacement surgery.

Elbow Conditions And Injuries Our Orthopaedic Surgeon May Treat

The elbow is a common site for sporting injuries as well as fractures. These fractures are often challenging to put back together.

The aim of our services is to securely fix problem areas and mobilise the elbow fast enough before stiffness sets in. Sometimes, in the older population, these fractures are not fixable, and we end up replacing part or the whole joint to restore early motion.

Arthritis is the second most common condition. This is managed firstly with non-surgical means, but failing this, an elbow replacement may be an option to restore mobility and reduce pain.

Although ligament injuries and dislocations are relatively uncommon, these are complex injuries to treat.

Common elbow injuries and conditions our surgeon may treat include:

• Tennis elbow – Inflammation or tearing of tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the elbow.
• Elbow contracture – Feeling of stiffness in the elbow that severely limits range of motion.
• Elbow bursitis – Irritation or inflammation of the olecranon bursa that lubricates elbow articulation.
• Bicep tendon tear at the elbow – Partial or complete tear (rupture) of the tendon connecting the bicep muscle to the elbow.
• Triceps tendonitis – Inflammation or irritation of the tendon connecting the triceps to the humerus.
• Elbow arthritis – Breakdown of cartilage that separates elbow bones, causing them to rub together and cause severe pain.
• Ulnar nerve compression – Irritation or compression of the ulnar nerve that causes tingling, numbness, pain, and difficulty using fingers.
• Elbow fracture – Partial or complete break in one of the bones that make up the elbow joint. Most often occurs in the ulna, as there is little tissue between it and the skin to absorb sudden impacts.

How Do We Diagnose an Elbow Injury?

Performing an accurate diagnosis is one of the key roles of an orthopaedic surgeon. The diagnosis is generally quite apparent on plain x-rays, but occasionally a CT scan or an MRI scan may be required for further clarity.

Other methods of diagnosing elbow injuries and conditions include electromyography and a biopsy of bursa fluid. A basic physical examination and check of your medical history may also be adequate to form a diagnosis. Diagnosis is usually performed by a professional with special interests in the elbow joint or bones.

What Are The Treatment Options For Elbow Injuries?

A lot of the fractures around the elbow are important due to their proximity to the joint itself. That is, they most likely need operative treatment. It is important to distinguish simple dislocations from more complex ones, where surgical input will help in early and long-term results.

Arthritis is generally treated without an operation to begin with, using injections, pain medications and physiotherapy, failing which joint replacing procedures can be performed. Some contractures around the elbow are treated with keyhole surgery. The rehabilitation of such patients will need physiotherapy input.

Elbow Surgery: FAQs