Elbow Surgery | Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia | MedStar Health
Dr Carmen Pichard examines a patient's shoulder during and office visit.

At MedStar Health, we offer a unique combination of experience and vision to successfully treat any elbow condition or injury. We serve as the primary elbow surgery referral center for the most complex elbow injuries and problems. Our orthopedic surgeons have advanced fellowship training.

Evaluation

Every patient has an evaluation to determine the exact nature of the problem, which consists of a personal medical history, imaging studies (X-rays and MRIs), and a thorough physical examination.

When you visit with us, we spend time with you to gain a complete understanding of your problem. We thoroughly diagnose your condition, and develop a treatment plan that will help restore the function you need to return to your daily activities. We know your goal is to be able to use your elbow effectively and without pain. We share that goal and will always work to design a solution that works for you. No matter how complex your condition, you can feel confident that our team has the skills and experience to find a solution that will help you.

  • Our fellowship-trained surgeons are nationally renowned in performing both complex and routine elbow surgery procedures
  • We lead cutting-edge research in new techniques for elbow reconstruction
  • Arthroscopic elbow surgical procedures are performed using the latest equipment and techniques

Elbow surgeries

Elbow arthroscopy

Elbow arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses an arthroscope (thin, flexible tube) to access your affected joints. An image of the joint is projected on a large screen. This image guides your elbow surgeon, who uses specialized instruments through the arthroscope to repair any damage.

Elbow replacement surgery

This surgery removes the damaged portion of your elbow joint and replaces it with an artificial elbow joint implant, securing it to your bones with metal and plastic hinges.

Elbow ligament reconstruction surgery

Our surgeons perform elbow ligament reconstruction to repair dislocated elbows. MedStar Health surgeon Anand M. Murthi, MD (Chief, Shoulder and Elbow Surgery at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital) has developed a local rotational graft that is taken from muscles near the elbow. Using this graft, he can stabilize the elbow. After surgery, your arm will be in a sling for four to six weeks and you will participate in physical therapy for approximately three months.

Nerve decompression (Cubital tunnel surgery)

Surgery for a pinched nerve in the elbow involves removing pressure on the ulnar nerve—sometimes called the “funny bone.” Your orthopedic surgeon releases the pinched nerve in your elbow, relieving elbow pain and numbness and tingling associated with cubital tunnel syndrome.

Open reduction with internal fixation of the elbow (ORIF)

When a broken bone is too damaged or misaligned to heal without surgery, your doctor may recommend this advanced procedure used by elbow surgeons to repair complex fractures. The bones are manually realigned and held together using hardware allowing the bone to heal in the correct alignment.

Tennis elbow surgery

Tennis elbow surgery is performed to treat the pain and immobility caused by tennis elbow, or elbow tendonitis.

Distal biceps tendon ruptures surgery

The distal biceps tendon connects the bicep tendon to the bone at the elbow. It can tear because of heavy lifting and most patients report hearing a pop as the tendon is ruptured. Our shoulder and elbow specialists repair the tendon through a small incision in the forearm to return patients' elbow strength and mobility.

Tommy John surgery (ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction)

The Tommy John surgery (named for a famous baseball player) is a medial collateral ligament reconstruction. This ligament, on the inside of your elbow, is responsible for the motion you make when you throw a ball. The reconstruction includes using a tendon to stabilize and repair the elbow.

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