Elbow Injuries and Syndromes
by Dr Jeffrey Budoff
Top Houston Elbow Surgeon

Tennis Elbow and Golfers Elbow

Tendon problems about the elbow are very common. They occur most commonly on the outside of the elbow, but may occur on the inside, and occasionally even on the back of the elbow.  When tendon problems occur on the outside of the elbow it’s called “Tennis Elbow.  When tendon problems occur on the … more

Radial Tunnel Syndrome

Radial Tunnel Syndrome is entrapment of the Posterior Interosseous Nerve (PIN), the major branch of the Radial Nerve, near the outside of the elbow.  Radial Tunnel Syndrome leads to pain on the outside of the elbow, and its symptoms are often confused with the much more common Tennis Elbow.  While… more

Distal Biceps Tendon Tear

Distal Biceps Tendon Tears occur most commonly in men aged 40-60 years old, especially those engaged in manual labor, athletics or weight lifting.  However, Distal Biceps Tendon Tears can also happen in women and younger men.  Smoking leads to a 5x increase in the rate of Distal Biceps Tendon Tear… more

Triceps Tendon Tear

The Triceps Tendon extends the elbow. While Triceps Tendon Tears are less common than Biceps Tendon Tears, they do happen. They most commonly occur when the arm is extended against a resistance, such as when catching oneself during a fall. … more

Snapping Elbow (Plica)

One of the most common causes of a “Snapping Elbow” is a Plica.  A Plica is an inflamed and therefore enlarged portion of the elbow’s joint lining that cat… more

Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)

Throwing a baseball puts a lot of stress on the elbow.  During the throwing motion, the Medial Collateral Ligament is stressed by tension, and the outside of the elbow is stressed by compression.  Repetitive compression of the outside of the elbow can injure the bone in this area, interrupt its bl… more

Elbow Fractures

Olecranon Fractures: The olecranon is the bone at the tip of the elbow that the triceps tendon inserts into.  It is an area of the elbow that is commonly fractured / broken during a fall.  Olecranon Fractures that are non-displaced (i.e. cracks i… more

Olecranon Bursitis

Olecranon bursitis is a common problem where a sac of fluid appears on the back of the el… more

Elbow Ligament Injuries

Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injury: The MCL is a major stabilizer, especially during the overhead throwing motion. … more

Elbow Stiffness

Elbow Stiffness is a very common problem following injury.  There are many reasons for this, but the main structure usually responsible for elbow stiffness is its joint capsule.  The joint capsule is the balloon-like structure surrounding the elbow. [caption id=”attachment_5345″ align=”aligncen… more

Elbow Arthritis

Elbow Arthritis can be due to Osteoarthritis (from wear and tear), Post-Traumatic Arthritis (from a fracture or dislocation) or Rheumatoid Arthritis (a systemic, inflammatory disease).  Elbow Arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, weakness, and dysfunction. The initial treatment of Elbow Arthritis… more

Elbow Pain

Elbow pain can be caused by many disorders: Tennis Elbow, Golfers Elbow, Plicas, Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD), fractures, ligament injuries, arthritis, and nerve entrapments.  As many of these conditions have been well-covered in other sections of this website, this section will focus on Triceps… more