What should I expect during an orthopedic elbow consultation?

During a consultation, Dr. Yaffe will conduct a thorough examination to diagnose the cause of your elbow pain. He will discuss your treatment options, focusing on minimally invasive methods to help you return to your normal activities as soon as possible.

When is elbow joint replacement recommended?

Elbow joint replacement is considered for patients with severe joint damage due to conditions like arthritis that significantly impair function and cause chronic pain. This procedure helps restore elbow function and alleviate pain.

What are conservative treatment options for elbow pain?

Conservative treatments include rest, physical therapy, bracing, and minimally invasive procedures like Tenex FAST. These approaches aim to alleviate pain and restore function without major surgery.

How does Dr. Yaffe approach elbow fracture treatment?

For acute, traumatic elbow fractures, Dr. Yaffe uses splints instead of casts whenever possible and provides expeditious surgical care in-office when necessary. His goal is to restore normal bone alignment and function with minimal recovery time.

How does Tenex FAST for elbow epicondylitis work?

Elbow Epicondylitis is a painful condition involving inflammation and degeneration of the tendons that attach to the outer (lateral) or inner (medial) portion of the elbow and forearm.

Although most patients will improve with rest, splinting, anti-inflammatory medications and therapy, some patients will continue to have severe pain that limits activities, work, and athletics.

The Tenex FAST procedure is a minimally-invasive procedure that identifies and removes pain-generating scar tissue from the elbow. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and takes about 15 minutes.

A small opening in the skin is made and the micro tip of the Tenex removal system is inserted into the affected area. The tip releases ultrasonic energy, which breaks and emulsifies the scar tissue, while preserving normal tissue. The area is covered with a bandage and no sutures (stitches) are required.

Patients return to light daily activities of daily living immediately and most normal activities in approximately 4-6 weeks.

How does Dr. Yaffe perform distal radius fracture repair?

Fractures of the radius bone are among the most common fractures treated by an upper extremity surgeon. Fractures that are displaced, angulated, or involve the joint surface may require operative repair to restore normal alignment and position and to provide a superior long-term functional outcome.
Here’s how surgery with Dr. Yaffe at the Schaumburg Surgery Center works:

• Typically takes 45-60 minutes
• A single incision is made on the palm portion of the wrist
• The fractured bone is returned to its normal position
• A low profile, titanium radius plate is placed to hold the bone in the correct position for healing.
• Typical bone healing is ~6 weeks.
• Plates are typically never removed unless there was a medical reason to do so
• A cosmetic skin closure is performed with absorbable suture and steri-strips (“butterfly strips”)
• A well-padded, post-surgical splint is applied and the patient is discharged home following the procedure. Elevation of the wrist above the heart and finger motion is important and encouraged
• Postoperative scripts for pain medication and antibiotics are provided
• Patients should start Vitamin D3 5000 IU Daily and Vitamin C 500mg daily for bone health and healing

What are some of the most common causes of orthopedic elbow injuries?

There are many potential causes of orthopedic elbow injuries, including:

• Overuse and repetitive motion: Activities or sports that involve repetitive elbow movements, such as tennis or golf, can cause overuse injuries like epicondylitis (tennis elbow/golfer's elbow).
• Trauma and falls: Falls on an outstretched hand or direct blows to the elbow can cause fractures or other injuries.
• Age-related degeneration: As we age, the cartilage and other tissues in the elbow joint can wear down and lead to conditions like osteoarthritis.
• Work-related injuries: Certain professions that require repetitive motions or heavy lifting may increase the risk of elbow injuries.
• Genetics: Some people may be born with congenital elbow abnormalities that put them at higher risk for injury.
• Inflammatory Conditions: Conditions that lead to joint inflammation (like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus) can affect the elbow joint.

How can I get elbow treatment from the best hand surgeon near me?

At Dr. Yaffe’s practice, we want it to be as easy as possible to get started on your road to recovery. Just use our simple online appointment request tool.