Desmond J. Stutzman, D.O.
Orthopedic Hand & Elbow Surgeon
If you have persistent elbow pain and tenderness that limits your mobility, you should make an appointment with the orthopedic experts at OrthoNeuro in Columbus, Ohio.
The team provides state-of-the-art diagnostics to identify joint injuries such as hyperextension and personalized treatments to relieve your pain and restore your joint function.
Elbow hyperextension injuries cause a popping sound and instant pain.
You might also experience:
Elbow hyperextension injuries range in severity, and you might have dull or sharp pain. However, more severe injuries can cause elbow joint deformity and circulation problems in your hand.
These injuries usually affect the humeroulnar joint, which allows you to bend and extend the joint. You’re most likely to get an elbow hyperextension injury while participating in sports.
Contact sports like football, or activities that put significant stress on your elbows like weight lifting or gymnastics, can push your elbow beyond its normal range of motion.
You might also hyperextend your elbow if you fall onto an outstretched hand.
If you think you hyperextended your elbow, you can apply a cold compress and take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine to manage swelling and pain.
The team of orthopedists at OrthoNeuro combines physical exams and imaging studies to diagnose a hyperextension injury.
Your doctor will begin by reviewing your symptoms, lifestyle details, and medical history. They carefully examine your arm, feeling for inflammation, elbow deformity, and any other palpable signs of injury.
Your physician may also order X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine your joint in more detail. This helps them rule out other issues such as fractures or arthritis, which could cause similar symptoms.
After confirming your diagnosis, your doctor will create a personalized treatment plan to help your elbow heal correctly.
They often combine therapies, including:
Rest is a critical part of the healing process. Your doctor can help you avoid flexing or extending your elbow.
You will need to take time away from sports or other activities that stress your elbow, as well as other activities that could intensify swelling.
Ice and cold compresses are an excellent way to reduce elbow swelling. You can apply ice for 10-20 minutes every few hours.
Don’t apply ice directly to your skin. Instead, always wrap your ice pack in a cloth to protect your skin.
Your doctor may give you an elastic bandage or elbow brace to protect your elbow.
These devices combine immobilization with compression, which helps manage swelling while keeping your joint still so it can rest.
As your elbow pain and swelling subsides, you may need to undergo physical therapy.
Gentle exercises and stretches can help restore your strength, stability, and flexibility following an elbow injury.
Your physical therapist will teach you exercises to practice at home to maintain your recovery between appointments.
The orthopedic surgeons at OrthoNeuro only recommend surgery when non-invasive treatments don’t resolve your injury.
The surgeons offer minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures as well as traditional open surgery. You will need rehabilitation following elbow surgery to restore your elbow function.
Call OrthoNeuro today or make an appointment online if you think you have a hyperextension injury or persistent and disruptive elbow pain.
If you have been experiencing the symptoms of a hyperextended elbow, schedule an appointment with one of our Board Certified Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Specialists at one of our 7 convenient locations throughout Greater Columbus.
Best of all, most patients can be seen within 24 hours of making an appointment.
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