Relieving Elbow Pain with Non Interventional Expertise

Our multidisciplinary elbow team offers non-surgical care tailored to your lifestyle helping you recover function, manage pain, and regain quality of life.

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At OPA Ortho, we believe surgery isn’t always the answer

The elbow is a crucial joint that allows for a wide range of motion, but it is also prone to injuries from overuse, sports, and daily activities. Many elbow injuries, such as tendonitis, sprains, and mild fractures, can be effectively managed without surgery
using conservative treatments. Non-surgical options focus on reducing pain, improving flexibility, and restoring strength through methods like rest, physical therapy, bracing, and pain management techniques. By following a structured rehabilitation plan, individuals can recover mobility and function while avoiding the risks and downtime associated with surgery.

Common non-surgical elbow injuries include:

• Tennis Elbow – Caused by overuse of the forearm muscles, symptoms include pain on the outer elbow, worsens with gripping or wrist movement
• Golfer’s Elbow – Pain on the inner elbow, aggravated by wrist flexion or lifting
• Elbow Bursitis – Swelling and tenderness at the tip of the elbow
• Ligament Sprain or Instability – Pain with movement, possible clicking or instability
• Nerve Issues (Cubital Tunnel Syndrome) – Numbness/tingling in the ring and pinky fingers
• Joint Dislocation – Common injury for children, can usually be corrected with a simple maneuver by a medical professional

When to Consider Surgery

– A ligament or tendon is completely torn
– The fracture is displaced or does not heal properly
– Chronic pain persists despite non-surgical treatments

Common non-surgical elbow treatments include:

• Rest & Activity Modification – Avoiding repetitive motions that worsen pain and modifying activities to reduce strain on the elbow
• Immobilization (Bracing & Splinting) – Depending on the type of injury, the use of sleeves, braces or splints can be effective at isolating the injury and removing strain and swelling
• Pain & Inflammation Management – Medications such as NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen), Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or topical anti-inflammatory gels (Voltaren, Arnica, Capsaicin)
• Cold & Heat Therapy – Ice packs reduce swelling and acute pain. Heat therapy, such as a warm compress or heating pad helps loosen tight muscles and improve blood flow in chronic injuries
• Physical Therapy & Massage – Soft tissue massage helps reduce muscle tightness and improve circulation, while joint mobilization performed by a physical therapist can help to improve movement
• Corticosteroid Injections – Used to reduce severe inflammation and provide short-term relief but should be used sparingly to avoid tendon weakening
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy – Stimulates healing by using the body’s own platelets
• Alternative & Adjunct Therapies – Therapies such as acupuncture may help with pain relief, while TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) can reduce nerve-related pain. Shockwave Therapy can assist with chronic tendonitis cases

Many elbow injuries, such as tendonitis, sprains, bursitis, and mild fractures, can be effectively treated without surgery. By exploring these
treatment options, individuals can recover more quickly and prevent further injury while avoiding the risks associated with surgical procedures.

Other Injuries and Conditions Managed at OPA Ortho

Why Choose Non-Surgical care?

At OPA Ortho, we believe that non-surgical care is often the best first step for treating musculoskeletal conditions. Most patients do not require surgery to recover. Our approach focuses on: