
Health Articles

Each of the following health articles was authored by one of our expert orthopedic doctors at Orthopedic Associates. Please use the Learn More button to read the article in full.
Hyperextension Injury of the Elbow
This injury occurs when the elbow is bent backwards beyond its normal range of motion, causing damage to the ligaments, bones and structures of the elbow. Hyperextension of the elbow can cause dislocation or fractures.
Revision Hip with Allograft
Revision hip is performed to replace worn artificial hip parts and damaged bone with new metal, plastic or ceramic components. Several revision options are available, chosen based on the condition of the patient's bones.
Absorbable Antibiotic Bead Treatment for Osteomyelitis
If you have an infected bone, your doctor may treat it with medicated beads. These are placed into the bone to send medicine directly into the infection. And that's helpful, because your bone may not have good blood flow.
Anesthesia (Local)
Local anesthesia makes a part of the body numb to prevent a patient from feeling pain during a medical procedure. Local anesthesia is commonly used for many minor outpatient surgeries.
Medial Apophysitis
This condition, also known as Little League elbow, is an injury to the medial epicondyle growth plate. It causes pain in the elbow, and may cause swelling. This condition is most common in young baseball pitchers.
Medial Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury
This condition is an injury to the medial ulnar collateral ligament, a ligament composed of three bands located on the inner side of the elbow. The MUCL connects the humerus to the ulna.
Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Elbow
This is a disorder that most often affects young athletes. It happens when part of a bone in the elbow loses its blood supply. It weakens, and so does the cartilage that covers it. Bone and cartilage may break off and drift around in the elbow.
Inflammation of the Biceps Tendon at the Elbow
This condition is an inflammation of a part of the tendon that connects the biceps muscle to the radius bone at the elbow.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
This condition is a compression injury to the ulnar nerve near the elbow. This is the nerve that produces a jolt when you bump your "funny bone."
Overuse Injuries of the Elbow
If you are an athlete, or if you work with your arms and hands, your elbows may be at risk for an overuse injury. This is an injury caused by repetitive motions.
Radial Tunnel Syndrome (Entrapment of the Radial Nerve)
This condition involves the radial nerve in your elbow. The radial nerve passes down your arm to your hand. Its branches travel into your thumb, forefinger and middle finger.
Medial Epicondylectomy
This outpatient procedure, performed under general or regional anesthesia, removes the medial epicondyle (the bony bump on the inner side of the elbow) to alleviate compression of the ulnar nerve.
Throwing Injuries of the Elbow
Throwing overhand again and again puts a lot of stress on your elbow. It can lead to injury. Young athletes, in particular, are at risk. Some play sports all year without learning how to throw properly. And, their bones are still growing.
PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography)
This scan lets doctors see inside your body. A PET scan is different from an MRI or a CT scan, because it shows how your organs and systems are working.
Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow)
This condition, commonly called golfer's elbow, is an inflammation of the tendons that connect the muscles of the forearm to the elbow. The pain is primarily felt at the medial epicondyle, the bony bump on the inner side of the elbow.
Revision Hip Surgery
This surgery replaces worn artificial hip parts and damaged bone with new metal, plastic or ceramic components. The new components restore normal hip joint stability.
CT Scan (Computed Tomography; CAT Scan)
This scan lets doctors see inside your body by taking x-ray images from many angles. These are combined to show clear cross-section slices of parts of your body. A CT scan shows much more than a typical x-ray.
Medial Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction (Tommy John Surgery)
This procedure is designed to repair a torn elbow ligament - an injury typically caused by strong, repetitive overhead throwing motions of the arm or by dislocation of the elbow. It was first performed in 1974 on baseball pitcher Tommy John.
Osteomyelitis
If you have an infection in a bone, you have osteomyelitis. It's a serious condition that can cause part of your bone to die. And, the infection can spread to other parts of your body.
Growth Plate Injuries of the Elbow
Growth plates are sections of cartilage near the ends of bones that are present until a person reaches maturity. They allow the skeleton to grow and lengthen, but are highly susceptible to injury.