Symptoms and evaluation
Symptoms may include pain, a sense that the elbow is giving way, clicking, apprehension with pushing up from a chair or pain during throwing. The pattern differs depending on whether the medial or lateral stabilizing structures are involved.
Treatment options
Treatment is based on the ligament injured, degree of instability, associated fractures or cartilage injury and the patient’s activity demands. Options can include bracing and rehabilitation or, for selected unstable injuries, ligament repair or reconstruction.
Recovery and return to activity
Rehabilitation balances restoration of motion with protection of healing or reconstructed ligaments. Strengthening and return to sports or heavier activity are advanced according to stability, healing and the specific procedure.
When to seek evaluation
Persistent pain, numbness, weakness, loss of motion, deformity or symptoms that interfere with sleep, work or daily activities are reasonable reasons to seek an orthopedic evaluation. Urgent injuries with severe deformity, open wounds or compromised circulation require prompt medical attention.
Common questions
Not every elbow ligament injury requires surgery. Objective instability, associated injuries, sport or work demands and response to nonsurgical treatment help guide the decision.
Specialized upper-extremity care
Dr. Devin W. Collins is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in hand, upper-extremity and microvascular surgery. Treatment recommendations are individualized to the diagnosis, severity, goals and needs of each patient.