Elbow Pain & Injury Care in Boynton Beach

Common Elbow Symptoms

Elbow pain often builds slowly with repetitive work, sport or hobbies, though it can also follow a fall or a single hard throw.

• Pain on the outer elbow when gripping, lifting a cup or turning a doorknob: typical of tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis).
• Pain on the inner elbow with gripping or throwing: often golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) or, in throwers, a UCL injury.
• Numbness or tingling in the ring and small fingers: may point to irritation of the ulnar nerve (cubital tunnel syndrome).
• A sudden pop at the front of the elbow followed by bruising and weakness when turning the palm up: possible distal biceps tendon tear.
• Swelling, stiffness or pain after a fall on an outstretched arm: may be a fracture.

If the elbow looks deformed after an injury, or your hand becomes cold, pale or numb, go to the emergency room or call 911. A suspected biceps tendon tear should be seen within a few days, because repair works best early.

How we diagnose elbow pain

At Personalized Orthopedics of the Palm Beaches, your physician examines where the elbow is tender, tests grip and wrist strength, and checks the nerves that pass the elbow. X-ray, MRI and diagnostic ultrasound are on site. Ultrasound shows tendons around the elbow clearly and lets the physician guide an injection to the exact area of injury.

Non-surgical care first

Most tennis elbow and golfer's elbow improves without surgery, though it can take several months and timelines vary. Your plan may include:

• Rest from the aggravating activity, changes to grip or technique, and a forearm strap or brace.
• Physical or hand therapy in our office, focused on stretching and gradual tendon strengthening.
• A cortisone injection for short-term relief when pain limits therapy.
• PRP (platelet-rich plasma, prepared from your own blood). Evidence is still developing, results vary, and insurance usually does not cover it.
• Shockwave or MLS laser therapy. Coverage varies by plan, so ask our team.

When surgery makes sense

Surgery is considered when tendon pain continues despite a fair trial of non-surgical care, or for injuries that do not heal well on their own, such as a complete distal biceps tendon tear or a torn UCL in a throwing athlete. Options include tendon debridement or repair, elbow arthroscopy, ulnar nerve release and UCL reconstruction. Therapy after surgery can be done in our office, with your therapist and surgeon sharing your chart.

Your elbow care team

Dr. Jennifer Tucker is a fellowship-trained hand and upper extremity surgeon who treats tennis elbow and cubital tunnel syndrome and performs elbow arthroscopy. Dr. Matthew Wolfson treats tennis and golfer's elbow and performs UCL reconstruction for throwing athletes. Dr. Alexandra Adelman provides non-operative care, including ultrasound-guided and PRP injections.