Sports Elbow Injury

Recognized by U.S. News & World Report

UT Southwestern Medical Center has earned a "High Performing" rating from U.S. News & World Report for orthopaedic care, placing us among the nation’s leading hospitals in this area of care.

Sports-related elbow injuries are very common in patients of all athletic and activity levels. Repetitive arm motions can cause overuse conditions, while athletic mishaps can result in acute injuries. Regardless of the cause, an injury to the elbow makes everyday activities painful and difficult. 

UT Southwestern Medical Center’s skilled Sports Medicine team expertly evaluates and treats the complete range of elbow injuries and disorders. Our board-certified orthopaedic specialists deliver personalized care aimed at getting patients of all ages back into action.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Treat Elbow Injuries

Our patients benefit from a multidisciplinary team that includes orthopaedic surgeons, physical therapists, athletic trainers, chiropractors, nutritionists, psychologists, and other health care providers. Our specialists collaborate to deliver an effective treatment plan that’s personalized for each patient. 

Our team has a depth of experience in diagnosing and treating elbow injuries. We treat all types of patients – professional athletes, varsity and collegiate athletes, and highly competitive amateurs, and our orthopaedic surgeons are trusted by athletes throughout the community.

Conditions Affecting the Elbow

We treat a variety of disorders of and injuries to the elbow, such as:

• Arthritis
• Burners and stingers
• Bursitis
• Dislocation
• Flexor tendinitis
• Fractures
• Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis)
• Instability
• Little Leaguer's elbow (medial apophysitis)
• Nursemaid’s elbow (radial head subluxation)
• Olecranon stress fracture
• Sprains and strains
• Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
• Tendon tears
• Traumatic injuries
• Ulnar collateral ligament injury (UCL)
• Ulnar neuritis
• Ulnar nerve entrapment (cubital tunnel syndrome)
• Valgus extension overload (VEO)

Symptoms

Patients with an elbow injury or disorder might experience symptoms such as:

• A bone that is clearly misshapen or out of place
• Pain that ranges from mild to severe
• Restricted movement
• Swelling, tenderness, and bruising
• Tingling and numbness, which might radiate down the arm

Diagnosing Elbow Conditions

To diagnose an elbow injury or disorder, our specialists will ask patients about their medical history and physical activities, conduct a physical examination, and order imaging studies.   

Imaging might include the following:

• Arthrograms (X-rays of the joints)
• Computed tomography (CT)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• X-rays

Conservative Treatments

Our specialists can successfully treat many elbow injuries and disorders without surgery. These conservative therapies include:

• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Immobilizing devices such as braces and slings
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation
• RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation)

Elbow Surgery

For patients who require elbow surgery, our highly trained surgeons use minimally invasive techniques whenever possible. 

From arthroscopic procedures and fracture fixation to complex elbow repair and revision surgeries, we offer specialized operations aimed at relieving elbow pain, restoring function, and achieving optimal long-term outcomes.