Elbow Arthroscopy Procedure Recovery

Stage 1 – up to second week

Reduce pain or soreness by applying ice and compression 60 minutes every 2 hours while taking anti-inflammatory medicine as directed.

Stage 2 – second to third week

Begin stretching and light strengthening exercises gradually increasing weight/resistance; using pain as a guide to determine how much activity is enough.

Download a PDF of the exercises.

Recommended Exercises

Wrist Extension Stretch

Place both hands on a table as shown and gently lean forward until a stretch is felt.

Wrist Flexion Stretch

Use the unaffected hand to bend the affected wrist down as shown

Ulnar Deviation Stretch

Grasp your hand and bend it towards the little finger side as shown.

Radial Deviation Stretch

Grasp your hand and bend it towards the thumb side as shown.

Towel Grip

Place a rolled up towel in your hand and squeeze. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times.

Rubber Band Extension

Expand a rubber band wrapped around your fingers. Hold extension for 3 seconds. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Pronation/Supination

Slowly lower a hammer towards the inside and then outside of the body as shown. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Elastic Bicep Curl

With your arm at your side holding an elastic band, draw up your hand by bending at the elbow. Keep your palm face up the entire time. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Elastic Triceps Extension

Start by holding an elastic band across your chest with the unaffected arm. Next, pull the band downward with the other arm so that the elbow moves from bent to straight. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Elastic Wrist Extension

Rest your forearm on your thigh or table with palm facing floor; raise back of hand to ceiling. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Elastic Wrist Curls

Rest your forearm on your thigh or table, with your palm facing the ceiling. Curl wrist to ceiling. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Elastic Ulnar Deviation

While holding an elastic band, bend the top wrist upward as shown. The lower hand should remain still. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Elastic Radial Deviation

Rest your forearm on your thigh or table, with thumb pointed toward ceiling. Cock wrist back and forth. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

What is Tennis Elbow

Tennis Elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is inflammation, soreness or pain on the outside of the upper arm near the elbow. This type of injury may be due to a partial tear of the tendon that connects muscle to bone; usually beginning near the fibers at the elbow.

 Tennis Elbow Causes

When you use your forearm muscles over and over again, small tears develop in the tendon which eventually leads to irritation and pain where the tendon is attached to the bone at the elbow.

This injury results not only from athletic activity but also from activities that involves repetitive twisting of the wrist.

Tennis Elbow Signs/Symptoms

Radiating pain from the outside of the elbow to the forearm and back of the hand when grasping or twisting.

Tennis Elbow Treatment

First step is to rest 2-3 weeks and take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. Then begin strengthening exercises.

Stage 1 – one to two weeks

Reduce pain or soreness by applying ice and compression 60 minutes every 2 hours while taking anti-inflammatory medicine as directed.

Stage 2 – second to third week

Begin stretching and light strengthening exercises gradually increasing weight/resistance; using pain as a guide to determine how much activity is enough.

Recommended Exercises

Wrist Extension Stretch

Place both hands on a table as shown and gently lean forward until a stretch is felt.

Wrist Flexion Stretch

Use the unaffected hand to bend the affected wrist down as shown

Ulnar Deviation Stretch

Grasp your hand and bend it towards the little finger side as shown.

Radial Deviation Stretch

Grasp your hand and bend it towards the thumb side as shown.

Towel Grip

Place a rolled up towel in your hand and squeeze. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times.

Rubber Band Extension

Expand a rubber band wrapped around your fingers. Hold extension for 3 seconds. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Ball Jaw Squeeze

With an elastic ball, firmly squeeze it with your first 3 fingers as shown. Hold for 3 seconds. Do 3 sets of 10 reps.

Ball Squeeze

With an elastic ball, firmly squeeze it in the palm of your hand. Hold for 3 seconds. Do 3 sets of 10 reps.

Elastic Bicep Curl

With your arm at your side holding an elastic band, draw up your hand by bending at the elbow. Keep your palm face up the entire time. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Elastic Triceps Extension

Start by holding an elastic band across your chest with the unaffected arm. Next, pull the band downward with the other arm so that the elbow moves from bent to straight. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Elastic Wrist Curls

Rest your forearm on your thigh or table, with your palm facing the ceiling. Curl wrist to ceiling. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Elastic Wrist Extension

Rest your forearm on your thigh or table with palm facing floor; raise back of hand to ceiling. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Elastic Ulnar Deviation

While holding an elastic band, bend the top wrist upward as shown. The lower hand should remain still. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Elastic Radial Deviation

Rest your forearm on your thigh or table, with thumb pointed toward ceiling. Cock wrist back and forth. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Pronation/Supination

Slowly lower a hammer towards the inside and then outside of the body as shown. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

What is Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer’s Elbow or medial epicondylitis is inflammation, soreness or pain on the inside of the upper arm near the elbow. This type of injury may be due to a partial tear of the tendon that connects muscle to bone; usually beginning near the fibers at the elbow.

Golfer’s Elbow Causes

When you use your forearm muscles over and over again, small tears develop in the tendon which eventually leads to irritation and pain where the tendon is attached to the bone at the elbow.

This injury results not only from athletic activity but also from activities that involves repetitive twisting of the wrist.

Golfer’s Elbow Signs/Symptoms

Radiating pain from the outside of the elbow to the forearm and back of the hand when grasping or twisting.

Golfer’s Elbow Treatment

First step is to rest 2-3 weeks and take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. Then begin strengthening exercises.

Stage 1

(1-2 weeks): Reduce pain or soreness by applying ice and compression 60 minutes every 2 hours while taking anti-inflammatory medicine as directed.

Stage 2

(2nd and 3rd week): Begin stretching and light strengthening exercises gradually increasing weight/resistance; using pain as a guide to determine how much activity is enough.
Download a PDF of the exercises.

Recommended Exercises

Wrist Extension Stretch

Place both hands on a table as shown and gently lean forward until a stretch is felt.

Wrist Flexion Stretch

Use the unaffected hand to bend the affected wrist down as shown

Ulnar Deviation Stretch

Grasp your hand and bend it towards the little finger side as shown.

Radial Deviation Stretch

Grasp your hand and bend it towards the thumb side as shown.

Towel Grip

Place a rolled up towel in your hand and squeeze. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times.

Rubber Band Extension

Expand a rubber band wrapped around your fingers. Hold extension for 3 seconds. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Ball Jaw Squeeze

With an elastic ball, firmly squeeze it with your first 3 fingers as shown. Hold for 3 seconds. Do 3 sets of 10 reps.

Ball Squeeze

With an elastic ball, firmly squeeze it in the palm of your hand. Hold for 3 seconds. Do 3 sets of 10 reps.

Elastic Bicep Curl

With your arm at your side holding an elastic band, draw up your hand by bending at the elbow. Keep your palm face up the entire time. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Elastic Triceps Extension

Start by holding an elastic band across your chest with the unaffected arm. Next, pull the band downward with the other arm so that the elbow moves from bent to straight. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Elastic Wrist Curls

Rest your forearm on your thigh or table, with your palm facing the ceiling. Curl wrist to ceiling. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Elastic Wrist Extension

Rest your forearm on your thigh or table with palm facing floor; raise back of hand to ceiling. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Elastic Ulnar Deviation

While holding an elastic band, bend the top wrist upward as shown. The lower hand should remain still. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Elastic Radial Deviation

Rest your forearm on your thigh or table, with thumb pointed toward ceiling. Cock wrist back and forth. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

Pronation/Supination

Slowly lower a hammer towards the inside and then outside of the body as shown. 3 Sets of 10 Reps

The elbow is one of the body’s most critical joints, coordinating the arm movements that many athletes rely on in order to perform their sport. It is a relatively simple joint formed by three intersecting bones: the humerus, ulna and radius. The joint is surrounded by muscles, tendons and ligaments that aid mobility and provide support. However, with heavy repetition, the elbow joint may become injured in conditions known as medial or lateral epicondylitis.

Medial Epicondylitis Causes

Medial epicondylitis, more commonly known as golfer’s elbow, is a form of tendonitis caused by overuse of certain elbow muscles. As its name suggests, golfer’s elbow generally affects muscles involved in the swinging of a golf club, such as those that control gripping, rotating and flexion. Some professionals may also be at risk for golfer’s elbow, including plumbers, assembly line workers and computer users.

Lateral Epicondylitis Causes

Lateral epicondylitis is also known as tennis elbow. It is caused by overuse of the wrist and forearm muscles involved in the swinging of a tennis racquet. Certain professionals may also be at risk for tennis elbow, such as painters, plumbers and carpenters.

Epicondylitis Symptoms

Patients suffering from tennis and golfer’s elbow generally experience pain around the elbow joint. Patients may also notice point tenderness, meaning they feel greater pain when certain areas are touched. Golfer’s elbow patients may experience difficulty bending the elbow, while tennis elbow patients may experience difficulty gripping objects.

Epicondylitis Treatment

Dr. Melander begins all epicondylitis treatments with a comprehensive physical exam and x-ray imaging, if necessary. Once he has diagnosed the condition, Dr. Melander will typically prescribe a therapeutic course of oral and injective anti-inflammatory medication or surgical options as a last form of treatment. Depending on the injury’s severity, he may also recommend an elbow brace to protect the joint while it recovers.

Epicondylitis Prevention

If your sport or profession puts you at risk of developing these conditions, you should follow a quality stretching regimen. This will reduce your likelihood of elbow inflammation and injury. You should also consider home treatment, such as massaging the elbow joint with a foam roller or by hand.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’re feeling a constant pain around your elbow, schedule an appointment with Dr. Melander’s sports medicine team for an exam. If your injury is due to medial or lateral epicondylitis, our team will develop a treatment plan that reduces inflammation and gets you back to your sport or work.