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Elbow Pain and Problems

The elbow is a hinge joint between the lower end of the humerus bone in the upper arm and the upper end of the radius and ulnar bones in the lower arm. The arm is bent and rotated at the elbow by the biceps muscles in the upper arm. Ligaments located at the front, back, and sides of the elbow help stabilize the joint.

Anatomy of the elbow
Click Image to Enlarge

Common elbow problems include the following:

  • arthritis
    Common forms of arthritis that can affect the elbow include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and infectious arthritis.
  • bursitis
    Bursitis of the elbow, also called olecranon bursitis, occurs as a result of injury or constant pressure on the elbow (for example, when leaning on a hard surface).
  • fractures
    Falling on an outstretched hand or directly on the tip of the elbow can result in dislocation and/or several types of fractures, depending on the fall.
  • injury
    Repetitive strain on the elbow can cause inflammation.

There are many types of elbow problems that require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview.

If you cannot find the information in which you are interested, please visit the Orthopaedic Surgery Online Resources page in this Web site for an Internet/World Wide Web address that may contain additional information on that topic.