Elbow Pain and Injury

UI Health Care specialists use arthroscopy, arthroplasty, and more to treat tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, elbow fractures, tendonitis, and other conditions.

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For Orthopedics and Rehabilitation related requests:

1-319-356-2223

For all other requests:: 1-800-777-8442

Elbow pain can have many causes, from tendonitis and osteoarthritis to sprains, fractures, and other injuries.

No matter what's causing it, a painful or stiff elbow can make it hard for you to do many daily activities.

If your elbow pain doesn't improve with simple home care like rest and ice, you need expert diagnosis and treatment.

The University of Iowa Health Care orthopedics team can help with any type of elbow pain and injury.

They have extensive experience treating everything from common conditions like tennis elbow to complex fractures that need surgery.

And because UI Health Care is part of a major academic medical center, you'll have access to state-of-the-art treatments that aren't widely available. We're at the forefront of treatments that help patients recover more quickly, with less pain and excellent outcomes.

Your care team will make a customized plan for relieving your pain and getting you back to the activities you love.

The most advanced diagnostic and treatment options

Most people can get relief from elbow pain without surgery. UI Health Care orthopedic specialists offer the full range of nonsurgical and surgical treatments.

Innovations in nonsurgical elbow care

UI Health Care is home to some of the newest, most effective diagnostic and treatment options for elbow pain. Your care plan might include:

Ultrasound: Our team is one of the few in the region using ultrasound as a fast, painless tool to diagnose the cause of elbow pain.
Leading-edge technology: We offer TENEX, a state-of-the-art procedure that uses tiny incisions and ultrasonic energy to remove damaged tissue that causes tendonitis.
Regenerative medicine: UI Health Care is home to a groundbreaking, evidence-based regenerative medicine program. This treatment involves injecting your own cells to provide pain relief and repair damaged tissue in and around your elbow.
Physical therapy: Therapy can help reduce your pain, increase your strength, and restore your range of motion. An experienced UI Health Care physical or occupational therapist will create a custom program for you.

Surgical expertise

If you do need elbow surgery, the UI Health Care team has extensive experience performing both minimally invasive and traditional open procedures.

Procedures include arthroscopy, guided by a tiny camera and special tools placed through a small incision into your elbow joint. Your provider can smooth rough bone surfaces, remove loose pieces of bone or cartilage, or release scar tissue that restricts your range of motion.

This procedure uses larger incisions. It may be used if you have an elbow fracture or ligament damage, or if you need elbow joint replacement (arthroplasty). UI Health Care's board-certified surgeons have intensive training and years of experience performing complex elbow repairs. They use the latest techniques and materials to provide you with the best possible outcome.

Customized, convenient care

The UI Health Care team works together to make your treatment as convenient and effective as possible.

In many cases, elbow pain can be diagnosed and treated in the same visit. For example, if ultrasound imaging shows that you have lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), you may be able to have a platelet-rich plasma injection right away.

Our sports medicine clinic offers same-day, next-day, and evening appointments. You can see our experts at a time that's convenient for you.

A team of UI Health Care experts, centered on you

Whatever your diagnosis, comprehensive care from a wide range of experts is one of UI Health Care's trademarks. Your care team might include specialists in:

Orthopedics and orthopedic surgery
Sports medicine
Regenerative medicine
Diagnostic imaging
Physical medicine and rehabilitation
Physical and occupational therapy

They collaborate with you to make a personalized plan for your treatment and rehabilitation. Your plan is based around your lifestyle, goals, and unique needs.