Orthopedic Doctor for Elbow Inflammation in Eastern Tennessee

How Will My Doctor Diagnose Elbow Pain?

Our orthopedic specialists will speak with you to get your medical history and examine the inflamed elbow. Tell them if you’ve had any recent elbow, shoulder, or wrist injuries, as that could affect your elbow pain, and include specifics about your elbow pain symptoms, including when it started, how long it’s lasting, and what makes it worse. Your orthopedic specialist will assess your range of motion and likely order imaging such as X-rays to rule out fracture, dislocation, or degenerative bone and joint diseases or an MRI to aid in detecting tendinitis or bursitis, torn ligaments, or muscle damage.

Your provider may order a blood test to check for inflammatory disorders if they suspect rheumatoid arthritis or lupus to be causing your symptoms.

What is the Treatment for Elbow Pain?

Treating elbow inflammation depends on the underlying cause and ranges from lifestyle changes to physical therapy or surgical intervention to replace the joint or surgically repair ligaments and tendons.  Treatment for elbow inflammation includes:

• Rest
• Modify activities that cause irritation or pain
• Physical therapy
• Over-the-counter NSAIDs 
• Brace or splints to stabilize the elbow joint
• Surgery

While common and treatable, the sooner you receive a diagnosis for your elbow inflammation, the sooner you can restore optimal function to your elbow joint and improve your quality of life. The more prolonged joint pain goes untreated, the greater the risk for joint or tendon damage and increased pain. Your orthopedic specialist from Tennessee Orthopaedics will help you get to the bottom of your elbow pain and provide a personalized and tailored treatment plan to help minimize pain, regain function, and prevent re-injury.