Patients › Elbow

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

How your elbow works Elbow anatomy: understanding the humerus, radius, and ulna – key to understanding elbow function and injury. Open → Elbow Arthroscopy Open →

Tennis & golfer's elbow

Tennis Elbow Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) — causes, symptoms, and conservative treatment options for pain relief. Open → Tennis Elbow Release Tennis elbow release surgery — for persistent pain despite physiotherapy and other conservative treatments. Open → Golfer's Elbow Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) — causes, symptoms, and conservative treatment options. Open → Golfer's Elbow Release Open →

Nerve compression

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Cubital tunnel syndrome causes ulnar nerve compression at the elbow — symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. Open → Cubital Tunnel Release Cubital tunnel release relieves ulnar nerve compression—addressing numbness/weakness in the ring & little fingers. Open → Radial Tunnel Syndrome Radial tunnel syndrome — causes forearm pain, weakness straightening fingers, and is distinct from tennis elbow. Open → Radial Tunnel Release Radial tunnel release relieves pain from PIN compression – distinct from tennis elbow, and how surgery helps. Open → Pronator, Lacertus and Anterior Interosseous Nerve Syndromes 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 → Pronator and AIN Release Open →

Tendon ruptures

Distal Biceps Rupture Distal biceps rupture causes sudden elbow pain, bruising, and weakness—often needing surgical repair. Open → Distal Biceps Repair Distal biceps rupture repair — restoring elbow flexion strength and addressing the “Popeye” deformity. Open → Distal Triceps Tendon Rupture 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 → Distal Triceps Repair Open →

Fractures, dislocation & instability

Radial Head Fracture Radial head fractures — Mason classification, conservative management, and indications for fixation or replacement. Open → Radial Head Replacement Open → Olecranon Fracture Olecranon fractures — patterns, non-operative care, and tension-band or plate fixation. Open → Olecranon Fracture Fixation (ORIF) Open → Distal Humerus Fracture Open → Forearm Shaft Fractures (including Monteggia and Galeazzi) Open → Elbow Instability Elbow ligamentous and bony instability, including dislocation and the terrible-triad pattern. Open → Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury (Tommy John Injury) The medial elbow ligament injury of throwers — how it presents, when rehab is enough, and what Tommy John reconstruction involves. Open → Elbow Ligament Reconstruction (Stabilisation) Open →

Arthritis, stiffness & cartilage

Elbow Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis of the elbow — primary and post-traumatic, conservative and surgical options. Open → Elbow Arthroplasty Total elbow replacement — indications, implants, and recovery. Open → Stiff Elbow Release (Arthrolysis) Open → Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum 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

Olecranon Bursitis Olecranon bursitis — causes, symptoms, and when to seek urgent medical attention for infection. Open → Olecranon Bursa Removal (Bursectomy) What olecranon bursectomy involves, why it is a last resort, and the honest wound-healing and recurrence picture. Open →

Recovery and rehabilitation

Blood Thinners Around Surgery How anticoagulants and antiplatelets work, and why the timing of stopping each before surgery differs — platelet turnover, half-lives and clot risk. Open → Cast and splint care at home 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 → Constipation and gut care after surgery Why constipation is common after surgery (especially with strong painkillers) and how to prevent and manage it. Open → Daily life after hand, wrist or elbow surgery Keeping a hand or wrist dressing dry, elevation to control swelling, and one-handed living after hand, wrist or elbow surgery. Open → Daily life after shoulder surgery Washing, dressing, sleeping and managing day-to-day with the operated arm in a sling after shoulder surgery. Open → Driving After Shoulder and Arm Surgery: When Is It Safe and 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 → Eating well for healing Everyday food to support recovery after surgery — protein, energy, healing vitamins, and preventing constipation. Open → Fasting Before Surgery: What You Can Eat and Drink, and Why 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 → Flying and travel after surgery Clot risk, cast tightness at altitude, fitness to fly and the practicalities of travelling after upper-limb surgery. Open → Hand therapy basics What to expect from hand therapy, how often you'll go, and what good rehab looks like. Open → Heat vs Ice When ice helps, when heat helps, and how to use either safely on the upper limb. Open → Is my wound infected? How to tell normal healing from a wound infection after surgery — the warning signs and when to seek help. Open → Looking after your wound Dressings, showering, and signs of infection after upper-limb surgery. Open → Managing pain after surgery What pain to expect, how to use pain relief well, and when to call. Open → Melatonin After Shoulder Surgery Why we prescribe melatonin after shoulder surgery, what the trial evidence shows, the dose we use, and what to expect from it. Open → Mind, Stress and Recovery How stress, low mood, anxiety and worry about pain affect recovery and surgical outcomes — and what helps. Open → Preparing for Surgery General checklist for the days before upper-limb surgery — fasting, what to bring, medications. Open → Preventing Blood Clots After Surgery Reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis after upper-limb surgery — mobilisation, hydration, medication. Open → Returning to sport Phased return to sport after upper-limb surgery, and when contact sport is safe again. Open → Returning to work When you can return to desk, light, and heavy work after upper-limb surgery. Open → Scar Management Massage, silicone, sun protection and the 12-month timeline for surgical scars to soften and fade. Open → Sleep, Pain and Recovery How sleep and pain affect each other, why surgery and shoulder problems disturb sleep, and what helps you rest and recover. Open → Swelling and elevation after surgery Why a hand or arm swells after surgery, how elevation and gentle movement control it, and when swelling is a warning sign. Open → The day of your surgery 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 → Wearing and Sleeping in an Arm Sling 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 → Your shoulder nerve block 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 → Your wound check and stitch removal What happens at the post-op wound check, dissolvable vs removable stitches, what removal feels like, and when to seek help sooner. Open →

Explore Elbow in the evidence explorer →