Elbow sprains are injuries to the ligaments around the elbow joint and can happen when the arm is bent or twisted quickly or forcibly.
The ligaments in your elbow help to connect the upper arm bone (the humerus) and the bones that make up the forearm (the radius and ulna) to the joints in the elbow. Pulled or torn ligaments can be extremely painful and limit your ability to move your elbow.
Meet the team of experts who specialize in elbow sprain treatment
Symptoms of Elbow Sprains
If you have any of the following symptoms, you may have sprained your elbow and should see a Penn orthopaedic specialist for an evaluation:
- Difficulty bending and straightening your elbow
- Elbow pain
- Inflammation, redness, and bruising
- Popping sound when moving your elbow
Diagnosing Elbow Sprains
To diagnose an elbow sprain, an orthopaedic specialist will examine your elbow and discuss how your injury occurred. In some cases, advanced imaging tests will be performed to assess how badly the ligaments have been damaged or if they have been torn. Our musculoskeletal radiologists who have expertise in reading advanced imaging tests carefully review scans to determine the damage to the ligaments and share these findings with your orthopaedic specialist. Together, they will create an individualized treatment plan that may include a combination of different types of therapies.
We offer the following advanced imaging tests and tools to diagnose elbow sprains:
- CT scan
- MRI
- Musculoskeletal ultrasound
- X-ray
Nonsurgical Treatment for Elbow Sprains
To treat your elbow sprain, your doctor may recommend noninvasive treatments. Many people find that their elbow pain and function greatly improves through these simple, conservative therapies.
The RICE method can be used to effectively treat elbow sprains:
- Rest: Restrict and modify daily activity to allow the ligaments to heal.
- Ice: Ice the area periodically (every 15-20 minutes) to reduce swelling and prevent tissue damage.
- Compression: This helps support the elbow and decrease swelling. Your doctor may recommend keeping it wrapped with a tight elastic bandage.
- Elevate: This helps to decrease pain and swelling.
When needed, anti-inflammatory medications can be used to help control pain and inflammation. In cases where ligaments have been severely torn, surgery may be required to repair the damaged ligament. We perform the latest minimally invasive surgical techniques in ligament repair and reconstruction. Your physician will discuss your surgical options with you.
Elbow Sprain Surgery
If you have serious ligament damage caused by an elbow sprain, overuse or injury, your doctor may recommend elbow ligament reconstruction surgery. Although most sprains do not require surgery, you may be a good candidate for elbow sprain surgery if the damage is severe. You and your surgeon will discuss your treatment options and determine if surgery is right for you. Penn orthopaedic surgeons perform the latest minimally invasive techniques to repair loose and torn ligaments and other soft tissues.
Advanced Arthroscopic Techniques to Treat an Elbow Sprain
Orthopaedic surgeons use advanced minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to repair soft tissue damage that results from an elbow sprain. During arthroscopic surgery, your surgeon will make a small incision in your elbow and insert a thin, flexible tube (called an arthroscope) with a tiny light and lens into the elbow to allow the surgeon to see the damaged structures. Using tiny instruments and the latest microsurgical techniques, surgeons are able to repair ligaments and tendons. Arthroscopic surgical techniques allow you to come home on the same day and can result in less pain and faster recovery.
Ligament Reconstruction and Repair
Ligaments that have been badly torn from an elbow sprain will need to be repaired or reconstructed. Our orthopaedic surgeons have expertise in the latest microsurgical procedures to reconstruct ligaments and perform ligament transfers to improve elbow function instability and reduce the possibility of future injuries.
Elbow Sprain Surgery Recovery
Recovering from ligament reconstruction surgery due to a severe elbow sprain can take a few weeks to several months, depending on the severity of your condition and the type of surgery you had. After surgery, rest is very important for healing. When your doctor feels you are ready, you will begin physical therapy and a pain management program to regain as much strength and function — while eliminating or decreasing your pain — as possible. Patients who experience less pain tend to have better results and regain mobility and function more quickly. Our advanced pain management program effectively treats pain with less dependence on narcotics and focuses on healthier ways to effectively manage your pain.
Personalized Rehabilitation Program for Elbow Sprains
Penn physical therapists, orthopaedic specialists and pain management specialists create personalized rehabilitation programs designed to restore your elbow to maximum function and eliminate or greatly reduce your pain for a better quality of life. We take a “whole person” approach to care, taking into account your lifestyle, personal treatment goals and your unique recovery needs. We are committed to working with you for as long as your recovery takes.