Elbow Injury Treatment in Buffalo, NY

If you sustained an elbow injury, you are likely in a great deal of pain and in need of relief. You aren’t just dealing with pain, though. You are also concerned about obtaining medical care. Medical Care of Western New York at Buffalo makes the entire process easy. Our medical office accepts no-fault and workers’ compensation, and we provide everything you need to treat your elbow injury. Contact us and let our staff provide treatment modalities designed to facilitate the road to recovery.

An Overview of Elbow Injuries

It is normal to experience some pain and discomfort in your elbows from time to time. You might bump into something and hit your funny bone or play a round of tennis and experience some soreness. Pain and discomfort that go away after a short period of time are normal, but what if the pain refuses to go away? If that is the case, you have an elbow injury that requires treatment.

Elbow injuries can cause a variety of problems. You might experience pain, numbness, swelling, weakness, or tingling. Decreased range of motion can also occur.

You can injure your elbow in a variety of ways, but injuries are commonly caused by sports or recreational activities, car accidents, work-related tasks such as typing, projects at home, and falls.

These injuries are typically classified as either sudden injuries or overuse injuries. We provide a full range of treatment options for both types of elbow injuries and will be your partner in care until you are completely healed.

What Are Some Common Sudden Elbow Injuries?

Sudden, or acute, injuries can occur when people fall, twist or bend their elbows, and take a direct blow to the bone. People who suffer from an acute elbow injury usually feel pain immediately. They also might experience bruises and other issues.

Acute elbow injuries include:

• Dislocations
• Broken bones
• Muscle tears
• Muscle ruptures
• Joint, tendon, and ligament injuries
• Muscle sprains

If you have an acute elbow injury that does not respond to Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE), schedule an appointment for an evaluation immediately. Failing to address your injury could actually lead to additional problems. These can be avoided with proper and timely medical care.

What Are Overuse Injuries?

Overuse injuries are also very common. These injuries occur when you put too much stress on a joint or another tissue. Bursitis, golfers’ elbow, and tennis elbow are common overuse injuries. Let’s take a closer look at each of these injuries.

What Is Elbow (Olecranon) Bursitis?

Your body has more than 150 bursae. A bursa is a small sac that contains lubricating fluid. It is located between tissues and prevents friction and irritation. Your bursa is essentially why you can move without pain.

The olecranon bursa is located at the tip of your elbow. The olecranon bursa lies flat, and that allows it to provide ample cushioning. If you overuse the elbow or experience trauma, the bursa can become irritated, and that will lead to inflammation. Fluid will accumulate in the sac, preventing it from lying flat. When that happens, you will be diagnosed with bursitis.

Bursitis presents with various symptoms. People usually experience swelling first. It can be difficult to notice the swelling at first due to the loose skin located on the back of the elbow. However, over time, the swelling will become more pronounced.

The swelling causes the bursa to stretch, leading to a significant amount of pain. Bending or placing direct pressure on the elbow makes the pain worse.

Many people also experience a reduced range of motion with bursitis. This is because of the swelling.

The skin might also be red and warm to the touch. This is indicative of an infection, and immediate treatment is needed. An untreated infection can end up in the bloodstream.

We can diagnose and treat your bursitis using minimally invasive techniques. You will have access to your own care team that will help provide treatment modalities designed to facilitate the road to recovery.

What Is Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)?

You don’t have to hit the court as often as Serena Williams to develop tennis elbow. In fact, you don’t have to play tennis at all to get this condition, although it’s most common in people who play the sport. Plumbers, painters, and carpenters have also been known to develop this overuse injury as well as numerous others.

Tennis elbow occurs when the tendons that are located on the outside of the elbow become inflamed. These tendons attach to the bone and join the muscles that are located on the forearm. Because of that, the muscles, bone, and tendons are all impacted by tennis elbow.

Pain and burning are common symptoms of tennis elbow. This occurs on the outer part of the elbow where the tendons are located. You also might notice that you have weak grip strength. While you might experience symptoms when relaxing your arm, they will likely get much worse during any type of forearm activity. Something as simple as gripping a racket or holding a wrench can cause a great deal of discomfort.

In the past, people had to wait a long time for tennis elbow to heal. Now, breakthroughs have sped up the healing process for those who seek treatment.

What Is Golfer’s and Baseball Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)?

Medial epicondylitis is the medical term for golfers’ and baseball elbow. Golfers’ elbow occurs when the tendons that are responsible for bending the wrist toward the palm are damaged. As you can likely guess by the name, this is a common injury for baseball players and golfers, but you can also get this from other activities. Chopping wood, using a chain saw, and carrying a heavy suitcase are other common causes, but that is far from an inclusive list.

Treating Your Elbow Injury

If you suffer from an elbow injury, you want to choose the best treatment possible. Medical Care of Western New York at Buffalo stands out for a multitude of reasons. Our beautifully renovated office is conveniently located in the Elmwood Village at the Parish Commons, 656 Elmwood Avenue. As soon as you walk through the doors, you’ll realize our traditional medical office has a home-like quality that will make you comfortable instantly, and the welcoming staff will increase that relaxed feeling.

The office takes a multifaceted approach to treating elbow injuries. Our goal is to make you feel better than you did before you experienced your elbow injury.

You will find everything you need for treatment at our traditional medical office. That includes acute primary care, physical therapy, and a whole host of additional services. We strive to ensure our office is the only one you will need to go to for treatment.

No-fault and Workers’ Compensation Claims

Our office also makes it easy for patients who have no-fault or workers’ compensation claims. We provide the proper documentation, so you can use it to support your claim. Documentation includes diagnostic studies, CT scans, and objective findings.

Make an Appointment Today

Living with an elbow injury is uncomfortable and can lead to other health issues. If you are dealing with such an injury, it’s time to get help. Schedule an appointment with us today. Walk-ins are also welcome. Let us become your partner in care. No one is denied the necessary treatment, and we will do everything in our power to make you feel better, both mentally and physically.

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