Elbow Injuries

Your elbow plays an important role in almost every movement of your arm—from lifting and reaching to throwing, working and simply carrying things. When an elbow injury or condition causes pain or limits your movement, even everyday activities can become difficult.

At OPA, our orthopedic specialists treat a wide range of elbow injuries and conditions, including fractures, dislocations, ligament injuries, tendon problems, arthritis and sports-related injuries. We take the time to understand how your injury happened, evaluate what’s actually causing your symptoms and develop a treatment plan tailored to you.

From conservative treatment and rehabilitation to advanced surgical care when needed, our goal is simple: help you regain strength and movement and get back to the things you love to do.

Common Elbow Injuries & Conditions We Treat

Elbow pain can result from a sudden injury, repetitive stress or gradual wear and tear. Our specialists diagnose and treat conditions affecting the bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and surrounding soft tissues of the elbow.

Elbow Fractures
Falls, sports injuries and other trauma can cause fractures of the bones that make up the elbow joint. Treatment depends on the location and severity of the fracture and may range from immobilization and rehabilitation to surgical repair.

Elbow Dislocations
A dislocated elbow occurs when the bones of the joint are forced out of their normal position, often following a fall or other significant trauma. Prompt evaluation is important to assess the joint and surrounding ligaments, nerves and blood vessels.

Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a common cause of pain on the outside of the elbow. Despite its name, it can affect anyone who performs repetitive gripping, lifting or wrist movements—not just tennis players.

Golfer’s Elbow
Golfer’s elbow, or medial epicondylitis, causes pain on the inside of the elbow and is often associated with repetitive gripping, throwing or other activities that place stress on the forearm tendons.

UCL & Ligament Injuries
The ligaments of the elbow help provide stability during everyday activities and high-demand movements such as throwing. Injuries can occur through acute trauma or repetitive stress, particularly in athletes who participate in throwing sports.

Biceps & Triceps Tendon Injuries
The tendons connecting the biceps and triceps muscles to the elbow can become injured through sudden force, overuse or degeneration. A torn tendon may cause pain, weakness and difficulty with lifting or other arm movements.

Elbow Arthritis
Arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, swelling and reduced range of motion. It may develop from normal wear and tear, previous injuries or other conditions affecting the joint.

Elbow Bursitis
The olecranon bursa is a small fluid-filled sac located over the point of the elbow. Repetitive pressure, trauma or inflammation can cause it to become swollen and painful.

Sports & Activity-Related Injuries
Throwing, lifting, racquet sports, contact sports and other activities can place significant demands on the elbow. Our specialists treat both acute injuries and overuse conditions with the goal of safely restoring function and helping you return to your activity.

Additional areas we serve:

Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, West-Seattle, Sammamish

Renton, Shoreline, Lynnwood, Burien, Northgate | Issaquah

Treatment Designed Around You

Not every elbow problem requires surgery. Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may include activity modification, medication, bracing or immobilization, injections, physical therapy or other non-surgical approaches.

When surgery is appropriate, our orthopedic specialists use advanced techniques to address the underlying problem and restore stability, strength and function whenever possible.

Your treatment plan is based on your injury, your activity level and your goals—not a one-size-fits-all approach.

When Should You See an Orthopedic Specialist?

Some elbow pain improves with rest and basic care. Persistent or significant symptoms, however, may require a more thorough evaluation.

Consider seeing an orthopedic specialist if you have:

• Persistent elbow pain or swelling
• Difficulty bending or straightening your arm
• Weakness when lifting, gripping or throwing
• Pain that interferes with work, exercise or everyday activities
• Numbness or tingling in your hand or fingers
• A feeling that your elbow is unstable or giving way
• Pain that continues or returns despite rest
• An injury accompanied by a visible deformity

If you’ve experienced significant trauma, have an obvious deformity, or cannot move your arm normally, seek medical evaluation promptly.

Get Back to the Things You Love

Your elbows may not get much attention when they’re working properly. But when pain or injury limits your arm, you notice it quickly.

At OPA, you’ll be evaluated by an orthopedic specialist who understands the complex mechanics of the elbow and how injuries can affect the way you work, exercise and live. Whether your treatment involves giving an injury time to heal, rehabilitation or surgery, we’ll help you understand your options and develop a plan focused on restoring function.

The goal isn’t simply to treat your elbow. It’s to help you get your strength, movement and confidence back.

Every person is different, so symptoms of conditions may present differently for different people. Symptoms also vary depending on the condition, its severity, location and other factors. Luckily, we have many sports medicine physicians and orthopedic surgeons ready to help.