ELBOW

 
Physical Therapy for the Elbow

Although we provide physical therapy for all orthopedic conditions and work not only to improve your pain complaints, more importantly we treat each patient as a person rather than as a diagnosis. Taking this comprehensive approach to orthopedic conditions provides our patients with the best results for their goals.  That being said, we know that our patient population is now more educated and involved in their health than ever.  As such, we have created a few targeted pages (by body part) to help share the basics about the body regions commonly treated at BreakThrough Physical Therapy. 

Physical Therapy Overview to Treatment of the Elbow:
Physical Therapists treat a wide range of disorders as they relate to the elbow. As an extremely mobile joint that plays a central role in the action of your entire upper extremity, the elbow is at risk for injury. Elbow pain can be a result of injury or disease of the elbow joint and surrounding tissues.  It can result from an acute injury as well as repetitive stress (strain) injuries.  Patients can also report pain through the elbow region which could be initiating in the cervical spine (neck), thoracic spine (mid-back) or shoulder. Injury can affect any of the ligaments, bursae, bones, cartilage or tendons surrounding the elbow joint. Detailed evaluation, progression and re-evaluation directed by your physician and/or physical therapist are critical to successful treatment.

At BreakThrough Physical Therapy, we begin your road to recovery with a comprehensive physical therapy evaluation.  This is critical in helping us to establish the best individualized treatment plan for you.  You will meet with one of our licensed physical therapists and they will ask a myriad of questions pertaining to you and your elbow or related symptoms in order to help determine the cause of the pain and limitations you are experiencing.  Once the lines of communication and trust have been established, your physical therapist will then take you through a series of tests to determine more specifically the areas/tissues which may be most painful, weak, tight or limiting you in any way.  Your physical therapist will then communicate their findings to you and educate you on the first portion of your home exercise program.  You, your physical therapist and our aide team will work together in the coming weeks to help you reduce pain, increase mobility, flexibility, strength and endurance of all related tissues.  You will also learn some key tips to improve postural habits and body mechanics.  Our goal is to see you successfully return to your desired lifestyle upon discharge or “graduation” from BreakThrough Physical Therapy.

Because of the muscular, bony, ligamentous, neural and myofascial connections between the tissues; detailed evaluation including a thorough history by a medical professional is strongly recommended.  Many individuals try to manage their symptoms on their own and delay heeling further.  We have found that this causes the need for more extensive care in the future, greater expense to you and greater time away from work, family and friends than would have otherwise been needed.  While the internet can be a great tool for basic information, if you are having signs or symptoms which may need medical attention, please consult your physician or physical therapist immediately to ensure that you are taking the proper steps to your recovery.

Common Elbow Tissues treated at BreakThrough Physical Therapy (including, but not limited to):
• Bursa(e)
• Joint Capsule
• Joint
          Humero-Ulnar Joint
          Proximal Radio-Ulnar Joint
• Muscle 
          Biceps
          Triceps
          Brachioradialis
          Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis
          Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus
          Flexor Carpi Radialis
          Flexor Carpi Ulnaris
          Flexor Digitorum Superficialis
          Flexor Digitorum Profundus
          Flexor Pollicis Longus
          Pronator Quadratus
          Palmaris Longus
          Pronator Teres
• Bone
          Humerus
          Radius
          Ulna
  
Common Diagnoses related to the elbow treated at BreakThrough Physical Therapy (including, but not limited to):
• Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
• Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)
• Olecranon Bursitis
• Gout
• Humerus Fracture
• Ulnar Fracture
• Radial Fracture
• Sprain
• Post-surgical Elbow Physical Therapy
• Post-operative Elbow Physical Therapy
• Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
• Tendonitis / Tendinitis
• Radicular Pain
• Arthritis
          Osteoarthritis
          Rheumatoid Arthritis