Elbow Treatment
Dr. Peter Howard is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, with an area of interest in elbow treatments and surgery including elbow arthroscopy. Elbow disorders are highly common in active adults, from tennis players to gym rats. Golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow, bursitis and tendonitis, and fractures and ruptures are among the pain inducing conditions that can be debilitating for athletes and active people.
Dr. Howard will first diagnose the issue carefully, by listening to his patients, inspecting the upper arm and elbow, and potentially using diagnostic tests such as X Rays, MRIs, and scans. His recommendations will involve the least invasive treatments first, including therapy, movement changes. He will work hand in hand with your physical therapists to insure the treatment plan is effective.
Only when necessary will surgery be recommended, and then he utilizes many minimally invasive procedures. Elbow arthroscopy, which is one of Dr. Howard’s areas of expertise, utilizes tiny instruments and a video camera for minimally disruptive repair of many elbow injuries. Bicep, tendon, and Tommy John repair are other treatments that can be performed with minimally invasive options. Dr. Howard will advise you, allowing you to remain in complete control of your decision to move forward with surgery, and will care for you throughout the process including during recovery.
Dr. Howard and his staff stay up to date on the latest developments in research for treating elbow pain. With offices in Palm Harbor and New Port Richey, he serves patients throughout Pinellas and Pasco counties, including Clearwater, Largo, St Petersburg, Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, and Hudson.
Common Elbow Conditions and Injuries
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
- Radial Tunnel Syndrome
- Tennis Elbow
- Golfer’s Elbow
- Olecranon Fractures
- Bicep tendonitis and rupture
- Tommy John ligament rupture
- Posterolateral Radial Head Instability
- Elbow Fracture
- Arthritis, Bursitis, Tendonitis
- Osteochondritis dissecans
Elbow Procedures
Some treatments and procedures that Dr. Howard may employ are:
Physical Therapy
Tennis Elbow treatments
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is commonly treated with exercise programs, cortisone injections, or rarely surgery, all of which are very successful at treating tennis elbow
Golfer’s Elbow treatments
Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) is commonly treated with exercise programs, cortisone injections, or rarely surgery, all of which are very successful at treating tennis elbow
Tommy John injury reconstruction
The inside ligament of the elbow is repaired or reconstructed in pitchers or other throwing athletes after a throwing injury
Ulnar nerve decompression
Commonly performed after a patient experiences numbness and tingling in the elbow and hand, freeing up the nerve from any compression
Elbow arthroscopy
Microscopic cameras are placed into the joint to view and fix cartilage or ligament problems.
Elbow fracture treatment
Plate and screws are used to repair a break or fracture of the humerus (arm) bone, radius or ulna (forearm) bones.
Distal bicep repair
Minimally invasive surgery is performed to repair the bicep tendon where it attaches to the forearm.
Triceps Repair
Usually occurring after a trauma, the triceps is reattached with special suture anchors or bone tunnels to the ulna.