Elbow Ligament Tear
Uncommon, but it can happen when too much force goes through the elbow as you land on your arm.
If a ligament tear is left untreated and becomes chronic, it can cause severe pain and make daily life hard, so early diagnosis and treatment are very important.
Common causes
01
Landing on an outstretched arm in a fall
02
Repeated throwing motions
03
Repeated activities that strain the elbow
Signs to watch for
- Pain when gripping or lifting
- Severe pain when twisting the arm, such as turning a door handle or opening a bottle
- Pain or swelling starting from the inner elbow
How we diagnose
X-ray
The basic first test. Further tests may be added for a definite diagnosis.
Ultrasound
Examines the joint while it moves, so problems that appear only in certain positions can be found. Inflamed areas can be treated with guided injections at the same time.
How we treat it
If pain and damage are mild, limit strain on the joint and rest. Chronic cases or complete tears can be treated with surgery.
Non-surgical injection therapy
Prolotherapy injects directly into weakened ligaments or tendons to reinforce the fibrous tissue, or a hyaluronic acid injection, a main component of joint fluid, is placed into weakened cartilage.
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy
Used across orthopedics, physical therapy and sports medicine, shockwave therapy aids recovery without surgery or painkillers and suits many conditions that cause acute or chronic pain.
Arthroscopy
Through a minimal incision under about 5 mm, an arthroscope with a tiny camera and special instruments is inserted into the joint. It shows areas that are hard to see on X-ray, allowing accurate diagnosis and treatment at the same time.
When surgery is consideredRest and limit activities that use the elbow, and keep up light massage, exercise and stretching to prevent a tear.