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. 

  • 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 an 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: 

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.

Elbow pain and injury tests and treatments

Elbow pain and injury conditions treated

  • Arthritis
  • Baseball elbow
  • Bursitis
  • Cartilage disorders of the elbow
  • Compartment syndrome
  • Dislocated elbow
  • Distal biceps and triceps injuries
  • Elbow fractures
  • Elbow instability
  • Elbow pain
  • Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
  • Lateral ulnar collateral ligament injury
  • Ligament injury
  • Loose bodies
  • Medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow)
  • Olecranon bursitis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Osteochondritis dissecans
  • Tendonitis
  • Ulnar collateral ligament (Tommy John) injury
  • Ulnar nerve inflammation or entrapment (cubital tunnel syndrome)

Our Care Team

Joseph A. Buckwalter V, MD, PhD portrait

Joseph A.
Buckwalter V
MD, PhD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.74 out of 5 (1,766 ratings)
Joseph W. Galvin, DO portrait

Joseph W.
Galvin
DO

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.80 out of 5 (215 ratings)
Matthew Hogue, MD portrait

Matthew
Hogue
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.59 out of 5 (738 ratings)
Matthew Karam, MD portrait

Matthew
Karam
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.69 out of 5 (829 ratings)
J. Lawrence Marsh, MD portrait

J. Lawrence
Marsh
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.70 out of 5 (339 ratings)
Brendan Patterson, MD, MPH portrait

Brendan
Patterson
MD, MPH

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.80 out of 5 (2,095 ratings)
Michael C. Willey, MD portrait

Michael C.
Willey
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.61 out of 5 (880 ratings)
Brian Wolf, MD, MS portrait

Brian
Wolf
MD, MS

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.71 out of 5 (951 ratings)
Ashlee L. Enzinger, MD, FAAP, CAQSM portrait

Ashlee L.
Enzinger
MD, FAAP, CAQSM

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.62 out of 5 (438 ratings)
Mederic M. Hall, MD portrait

Mederic M.
Hall
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.64 out of 5 (609 ratings)
Ryan Kruse, MD portrait

Ryan
Kruse
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.86 out of 5 (609 ratings)
Andy Peterson, MD, MSPH portrait

Andy
Peterson
MD, MSPH

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.55 out of 5 (1,178 ratings)
Timothy W. Thomsen, MD portrait

Timothy W.
Thomsen
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.80 out of 5 (613 ratings)
Terese Whipple, MD portrait

Terese
Whipple
MD

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
Britt Marcussen, MD portrait

Britt
Marcussen
MD

  • Family Medicine
  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.62 out of 5 (1,022 ratings)
Tyler Slayman, MD portrait

Tyler
Slayman
MD

  • Family Medicine
  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.75 out of 5 (1,616 ratings)
Lisa Woodroffe, MD, CAQSM portrait

Lisa
Woodroffe
MD, CAQSM

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.73 out of 5 (541 ratings)
Eric Aschenbrenner, MD portrait

Eric
Aschenbrenner
MD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.79 out of 5 (148 ratings)
Laura Conner, MPAS, PA-C, MA, ATC, LAT, CES portrait

Laura
Conner
MPAS, PA-C, MA, ATC, LAT, CES

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.89 out of 5 (597 ratings)
Mary Greve, MPAS, PA-C, MHA portrait

Mary
Greve
MPAS, PA-C, MHA

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.72 out of 5 (398 ratings)
Kimberly Leman, MPAS, PA-C portrait

Kimberly
Leman
MPAS, PA-C

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.77 out of 5 (714 ratings)
Laura Magrane, MPAS, PA-C, MAT portrait

Laura
Magrane
MPAS, PA-C, MAT

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.83 out of 5 (744 ratings)
Megan Pearson, MPAS, PA-C, RD portrait

Megan
Pearson
MPAS, PA-C, RD

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.87 out of 5 (615 ratings)
Courtney Seffker, MPAS, PA-C portrait

Courtney
Seffker
MPAS, PA-C

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.71 out of 5 (363 ratings)
Julie Torres, MPAS, PA-C portrait

Julie
Torres
MPAS, PA-C

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.90 out of 5 (165 ratings)
Reed Trettin, MPAS, PA-C portrait

Reed
Trettin
MPAS, PA-C

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.77 out of 5 (1,342 ratings)
Jodi Heth, ARNP portrait

Jodi
Heth
ARNP

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.92 out of 5 (43 ratings)
Elayne Pregon, MSN, ARNP, FNP-C portrait

Elayne
Pregon
MSN, ARNP, FNP-C

  • Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
4.83 out of 5 (574 ratings)
Jayne R. Abraham, OTR/L portrait

Jayne R.
Abraham
OTR/L

  • Rehabilitation Therapies
Madisson Miller, MOT, OTR/L, CHT, CSCS portrait

Madisson
Miller
MOT, OTR/L, CHT, CSCS

  • Rehabilitation Therapies

Looking for an expert to treat your elbow pain?

Don't let elbow pain interfere with your daily life. We'll help you find a specialist with extensive experience in nonsurgical and surgical treatment.
Call 1-319-356-2223 Request an appointment Refer a patient

Locations and Offices

Orthopedic Clinic Floor 5
Elevator A, Level 5
1-319-356-2223
Clinic
MCNL Ortho Clinic 5th Floor
In Medical Center North Liberty
701 W. Forevergreen Road, North Liberty, IA 52317
Sports Medicine, Iowa City
Level 1
1-319-384-7070
Clinic
UI Health Care Sports Medicine facility exterior photo
In Iowa City, Prairie Meadow Drive
2701 Prairie Meadow Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242
Sports Medicine, North Liberty
Main entrance, level 1
1-319-356-2223
Clinic
Ortho walk in clinic MCNL
In Medical Center North Liberty
701 W. Forevergreen Road, North Liberty, IA 52317
Ortho Injury Walk-In Clinic
Main entrance, level 1
1-319-356-2223
Ortho Walk-In Clinic
Ortho walk in clinic MCNL
In Medical Center North Liberty
701 W. Forevergreen Road, North Liberty, IA 52317
Sports Medicine, Cedar Rapids
Suite 2300
1-319-731-1430
Clinic
Interior front desk of the new sports medicine location
In Cedar Rapids, 10th Street SE
411 10th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

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Awards and Recognition

National leaders in elbow pain and injury care
UI Health Care's orthopedics team includes three members of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES). Membership in ASES is reserved for surgeons who are leaders in the field and contribute significantly to research.