Arm & Elbow Joint Disorders
Personalized Care for Arm and Elbow Pain
Your elbows and arms play a vital role in lifting, reaching, gripping, and everyday activities. When pain develops from injury, overuse, or nerve irritation, it can limit everything from work to exercise to simple tasks at home. At iMsk & Spine Group, we take a warm, patient-centered approach to diagnosing and treating arm and elbow joint disorders. Whether your discomfort is recent or long-standing, we focus on delivering relief, restoring strength, and helping you return to comfortable, confident movement.
Arm & Elbow Joint Disorders We Treat
Biceps Tendonitis (at the Elbow)
What it is:
Inflammation of the distal biceps tendon near the elbow, often caused by repetitive lifting or overuse.
Inflammation of the distal biceps tendon near the elbow, often caused by repetitive lifting or overuse.
How we treat it:
Treatment includes rest, physical therapy, stretching, anti-inflammatory strategies, activity modification, and targeted injections if needed.
Treatment includes rest, physical therapy, stretching, anti-inflammatory strategies, activity modification, and targeted injections if needed.
Symptoms:
- Pain in the front of the elbow
- Weakness when bending the elbow
- Tenderness near the biceps attachment
- Pain during lifting or twisting motions
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
What it is:
Compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow, similar to “funny bone” irritation but persistent and progressive.
Compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow, similar to “funny bone” irritation but persistent and progressive.
How we treat it:
We provide nerve-gliding exercises, bracing (especially at night), ergonomic adjustments, physical therapy, and interventional treatments to relieve nerve pressure.
We provide nerve-gliding exercises, bracing (especially at night), ergonomic adjustments, physical therapy, and interventional treatments to relieve nerve pressure.
Symptoms:
- Numbness or tingling in the ring and pinky fingers
- Hand weakness
- Pain along the inner elbow
- Symptoms that worsen when bending the elbow
Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
What it is:
Inflammation of the tendons on the outer elbow caused by repetitive gripping, lifting, or twisting motions.
Inflammation of the tendons on the outer elbow caused by repetitive gripping, lifting, or twisting motions.
How we treat it:
Treatment includes rest, counterforce bracing, physical therapy, stretching, strengthening, and anti-inflammatory care. Injections may be used for persistent cases.
Treatment includes rest, counterforce bracing, physical therapy, stretching, strengthening, and anti-inflammatory care. Injections may be used for persistent cases.
Symptoms:
- Pain along the outer elbow
- Weak grip
- Pain when lifting objects
- Tenderness with wrist extension
Medial Apophysitis (Little Leaguer’s Elbow)
What it is:
An overuse injury in young athletes, caused by repetitive throwing motions that stress the growth plate on the inner elbow.
An overuse injury in young athletes, caused by repetitive throwing motions that stress the growth plate on the inner elbow.
How we treat it:
Rest from throwing, structured rehab, stretching, gradual return-to-sport planning, and correction of throwing mechanics are essential.
Rest from throwing, structured rehab, stretching, gradual return-to-sport planning, and correction of throwing mechanics are essential.
Symptoms:
- Inner elbow pain
- Decreased throwing performance
- Swelling or tenderness
- Pain with gripping
Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)
What it is:
Inflammation of the tendons on the inner elbow due to repetitive wrist flexion or gripping.
Inflammation of the tendons on the inner elbow due to repetitive wrist flexion or gripping.
How we treat it:
We use stretching, strengthening, bracing, anti-inflammatory care, and physical therapy to reduce strain and restore healthy tendon function.
We use stretching, strengthening, bracing, anti-inflammatory care, and physical therapy to reduce strain and restore healthy tendon function.
Symptoms:
- Inner elbow pain
- Pain when bending the wrist
- Tenderness along the inner forearm
- Weakness during gripping
Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Elbow
What it is:
A condition where a small segment of bone and cartilage separates due to reduced blood flow, often affecting young athletes.
A condition where a small segment of bone and cartilage separates due to reduced blood flow, often affecting young athletes.
How we treat it:
Treatment includes activity restriction, physical therapy, monitoring, and in some cases advanced intervention if fragments become unstable.
Treatment includes activity restriction, physical therapy, monitoring, and in some cases advanced intervention if fragments become unstable.
Symptoms:
- Deep elbow pain
- Catching or locking
- Swelling
- Reduced range of motion
Overuse Injuries of the Elbow
What it is:
General irritation or inflammation of the tendons, muscles, and ligaments from repetitive movement.
General irritation or inflammation of the tendons, muscles, and ligaments from repetitive movement.
How we treat it:
We offer activity modification, strengthening, stretching, ergonomic coaching, and anti-inflammatory care.
We offer activity modification, strengthening, stretching, ergonomic coaching, and anti-inflammatory care.
Symptoms:
- Dull aching pain
- Stiffness
- Reduced strength
- Swelling or tenderness
Radial Tunnel Syndrome (Radial Nerve Entrapment)
What it is:
Compression of the radial nerve as it passes through the forearm.
Compression of the radial nerve as it passes through the forearm.
How we treat it:
Therapy includes nerve-gliding exercises, stretching, activity modification, anti-inflammatory care, and interventional treatments if symptoms persist.
Therapy includes nerve-gliding exercises, stretching, activity modification, anti-inflammatory care, and interventional treatments if symptoms persist.
Symptoms:
- Outer forearm pain
- Tenderness along the radial tunnel
- Weak grip or wrist extension
- Pain with lifting
Throwing Injuries of the Elbow
What it is:
Overuse injuries common in athletes who perform repetitive throwing motions, stressing the elbow structures.
Overuse injuries common in athletes who perform repetitive throwing motions, stressing the elbow structures.
How we treat it:
We focus on rest, structured rehab programs, throwing-mechanics correction, strengthening, and gradual return-to-play planning.
We focus on rest, structured rehab programs, throwing-mechanics correction, strengthening, and gradual return-to-play planning.
Symptoms:
- Inner or outer elbow pain
- Reduced throwing velocity
- Swelling
- Instability
Triceps Tendonitis
What it is:
Inflammation of the triceps tendon where it attaches at the elbow.
Inflammation of the triceps tendon where it attaches at the elbow.
How we treat it:
Treatment includes rest, ice/heat therapy, stretching, strengthening, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory options.
Treatment includes rest, ice/heat therapy, stretching, strengthening, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory options.
Symptoms:
- Pain at the back of the elbow
- Tenderness with pushing movements
- Swelling
- Weakness during extension
Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Injury
What it is:
A sprain or tear of the ligament stabilizing the inner elbow — common in throwing athletes.
A sprain or tear of the ligament stabilizing the inner elbow — common in throwing athletes.
How we treat it:
We emphasize rest, bracing, strengthening, sports-specific rehab, and interventional therapies. Severe tears may require advanced intervention, with rehab provided post-treatment.
We emphasize rest, bracing, strengthening, sports-specific rehab, and interventional therapies. Severe tears may require advanced intervention, with rehab provided post-treatment.
Symptoms:
- Inner elbow pain
- Loss of throwing strength
- Instability
- Tenderness along the UCL
Arm & Elbow Joint Disorders FAQ
How do I know if my elbow pain is serious?
If pain persists for more than a week, limits your range of motion, causes numbness, follows an injury, or interferes with gripping or lifting, it’s best to be evaluated.
Do elbow injuries usually require surgery?
Most elbow injuries respond well to non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, bracing, stretching, and targeted injections. Surgery is considered only when conservative care fails.
Why does my elbow hurt when lifting or gripping?
Many elbow conditions — including tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and tendonitis — cause pain during gripping or lifting. We identify which structure is irritated and create a plan to relieve strain.
Can nerve compression cause elbow pain?
Yes — conditions like cubital or radial tunnel syndrome can cause pain, tingling, or weakness. We perform a thorough evaluation to determine if a nerve is involved.
How long does recovery typically take?
Recovery time varies, but most patients improve within weeks to months with proper rehabilitation. Early treatment leads to better outcomes.
How can I prevent elbow pain in the future?
Warm-up routines, proper lifting technique, rest intervals, maintaining flexibility, and strengthening the forearm and shoulder muscles all help reduce risk.
