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Elbow

Elbow problems grouped by theme — tennis and golfer's elbow, nerve compression, tendon ruptures, fractures and stiffness — with each condition beside the operation that treats it.

Understanding your elbow

¿Cómo funciona su codo? Elbow anatomy: understanding the humerus, radius, and ulna – key to understanding elbow function and injury. Open → Artroscopia de codo Open →

Tennis & golfer's elbow

Codo de tenista Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) — causes, symptoms, and conservative treatment options for pain relief. Open → Liberación del codo de tenista Tennis elbow release surgery — for persistent pain despite physiotherapy and other conservative treatments. Open → Codo de golfista Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) — causes, symptoms, and conservative treatment options. Open → Liberación del codo del golfista Open →

Nerve compression

Síndrome del túnel cubital Cubital tunnel syndrome causes ulnar nerve compression at the elbow — symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. Open → Liberación del túnel cubital Cubital tunnel release relieves ulnar nerve compression—addressing numbness/weakness in the ring & little fingers. Open → Síndrome del túnel radial Radial tunnel syndrome — causes forearm pain, weakness straightening fingers, and is distinct from tennis elbow. Open → Liberación del túnel radial Radial tunnel release relieves pain from PIN compression – distinct from tennis elbow, and how surgery helps. Open → Síndromes del nervio pronador, del lacerto y del interóseo anterior Median nerve trouble high in the forearm — forearm aching with hand tingling (pronator) or weakness pinching the thumb and index (AIN), and how each is treated. Open → Liberación del pronador y del nervio interósseo anterior Open →

Tendon ruptures

Ruptura del bíceps distal Distal biceps rupture causes sudden elbow pain, bruising, and weakness—often needing surgical repair. Open → Reparación del bíceps distal Distal biceps rupture repair — restoring elbow flexion strength and addressing the “Popeye” deformity. Open → Ruptura distal del tendón del tríceps A rare tear of the triceps tendon at the back of the elbow — how to spot it, who is at risk, and why complete tears usually need early repair. Open → Reparación distal del tríceps Open →

Fractures, dislocation & instability

Fractura de la cabeza del radio Radial head fractures — Mason classification, conservative management, and indications for fixation or replacement. Open → Reemplazo de la cabeza radial Open → Fractura del olécrano Olecranon fractures — patterns, non-operative care, and tension-band or plate fixation. Open → Fijación de fractura del olécrano (reconstrucción quirúrgica) Open → Fractura del húmero distal Open → Inestabilidad del codo Elbow ligamentous and bony instability, including dislocation and the terrible-triad pattern. Open → Lesión del ligamento colateral ulnar (lesión de Tommy John) The medial elbow ligament injury of throwers — how it presents, when rehab is enough, and what Tommy John reconstruction involves. Open → Reconstrucción (estabilización) de los ligamentos del codo Open →

Arthritis, stiffness & cartilage

Osteoartritis del codo Osteoarthritis of the elbow — primary and post-traumatic, conservative and surgical options. Open → Artroplastia de codo Total elbow replacement — indications, implants, and recovery. Open → Liberación de codo rígido (artrólisis) Open → Osteocondritis disecante del capítulo A lateral elbow joint-surface problem in young throwers and gymnasts — how it is found, when it heals with rest, and when surgery is needed. Open →

Bursitis

Bursitis del olécrano Olecranon bursitis — causes, symptoms, and when to seek urgent medical attention for infection. Open → Extirpación de la bursa olecraniana (bursectomía) What olecranon bursectomy involves, why it is a last resort, and the honest wound-healing and recurrence picture. Open →

Recovery and rehabilitation

Anticoagulantes antes y después de la cirugía How anticoagulants and antiplatelets work, and why the timing of stopping each before surgery differs — platelet turnover, half-lives and clot risk. Open → Ayuno antes de la cirugía: qué puede comer y beber, y por qué Why you must stop eating before an anaesthetic, when you can still sip water, and what can happen if you do not fast. The clear fasting rules that keep your stomach empty and your lungs safe during surgery. Open → Calor vs. frío When ice helps, when heat helps, and how to use either safely on the upper limb. Open → Conducción después de cirugía de hombro y brazo: ¿cuándo es segura y legal? After most shoulder surgery, including rotator cuff repair, you usually cannot drive for about six weeks, and not while your arm is in a sling. When it is safe and legal to get back to the wheel after hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder surgery. Open → Cuidado de su cicatriz Massage, silicone, sun protection and the 12-month timeline for surgical scars to soften and fade. Open → Cuidado de su herida Dressings, showering, and signs of infection after upper-limb surgery. Open → Cuidado del yeso y las férulas en el hogar Looking after a plaster or splint at home — keeping it dry, elevation, keeping joints moving, and the urgent signs of a too-tight cast. Open → El día de su cirugía What to expect on the day of day-case upper-limb surgery, from arrival and meeting the team to waking up and going home. Open → Estreñimiento y cuidado intestinal después de la cirugía Why constipation is common after surgery (especially with strong painkillers) and how to prevent and manage it. Open → Fundamentos de la terapia de la mano What to expect from hand therapy, how often you'll go, and what good rehab looks like. Open → Hinchazón y elevación después de la cirugía Why a hand or arm swells after surgery, how elevation and gentle movement control it, and when swelling is a warning sign. Open → La vida cotidiana después de una cirugía de hombro Washing, dressing, sleeping and managing day-to-day with the operated arm in a sling after shoulder surgery. Open → La vida cotidiana después de una cirugía de mano, muñeca o codo Keeping a hand or wrist dressing dry, elevation to control swelling, and one-handed living after hand, wrist or elbow surgery. Open → Manejo del dolor postoperatorio What pain to expect, how to use pain relief well, and when to call. Open → Melatonina después de la cirugía de hombro Why we prescribe melatonin after shoulder surgery, what the trial evidence shows, the dose we use, and what to expect from it. Open → Mente, estrés y recuperación How stress, low mood, anxiety and worry about pain affect recovery and surgical outcomes — and what helps. Open → Preparación para la cirugía General checklist for the days before upper-limb surgery — fasting, what to bring, medications. Open → Prevención de coágulos sanguíneos en casa Reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis after upper-limb surgery — mobilisation, hydration, medication. Open → Regreso al deporte Phased return to sport after upper-limb surgery, and when contact sport is safe again. Open → Su bloqueo nervioso del hombro The nerve block we use for shoulder surgery — how it numbs your arm, why it controls pain so well, and what to expect as it wears off. Open → Su control de la herida y retiro de puntos What happens at the post-op wound check, dissolvable vs removable stitches, what removal feels like, and when to seek help sooner. Open → Sueño, dolor y recuperación How sleep and pain affect each other, why surgery and shoulder problems disturb sleep, and what helps you rest and recover. Open → Una buena alimentación para la recuperación Everyday food to support recovery after surgery — protein, energy, healing vitamins, and preventing constipation. Open → Uso y dormir con un cabestrillo para el brazo How to sleep in an arm sling, get the sling position right, and look after it after shoulder, elbow or wrist surgery, including whether to keep the sling on overnight. Open → Volar y viajar después de la cirugía Clot risk, cast tightness at altitude, fitness to fly and the practicalities of travelling after upper-limb surgery. Open → Volver al trabajo When you can return to desk, light, and heavy work after upper-limb surgery. Open → ¿Está infectada mi herida? How to tell normal healing from a wound infection after surgery — the warning signs and when to seek help. Open →

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