Elbow
Overview
Along with the shoulders, hips and knees, our elbows are subjected to tremendous, continuous pressure. After all, this region allows the arms to perform crucial movements, including bending, straightening and turning.
J. Dean Cole, MD, a noted orthopaedic traumatologist and researcher, and his fellow orthopaedic surgeons at the Florida Hospital Orthoapedic Institute Fracture Care Center (FCC) are unrivaled at diagnosing and treating elbow issues, especially joint replacements and reconstructions.
Primarily, the elbow provides a “hinge,” allowing bending and straightening of the elbow joint. Aside from the joints, the elbows house various organs and connective tissue, including: bones, nerves, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and blood vessels.
Elbow Conditions
Among the more common elbow injury types are fractures, dislocations, arthritis, and tendonitis; infections can also (rarely) develop. At the FCC, our surgeons can diagnose and treat these problems, incorporating a minimally invasive approach to surgery. This ensures that patients’ recovery periods are quicker, with dramatically fewer complications and setbacks.
The Center’s surgeons have years of experience in elbow fracture treatment of the three elbow bones: the “humerus,” and the “radius” and “ulna,” which form a pair in the forearm. Any or all three can incur an elbow fracture. Tendonitis can also develop due to overuse: “golfer’s elbow” targets the inside of the elbow, while “tennis elbow” targets the outside.
As for dislocations, research suggests that the elbow’s three joints -- the humeroulnar, humeroradial, and proximal radioulnar – represent 10-25% of all elbow injury types. The elbow is actually among the body’s most commonly dislocated joints. Within the treatments page, you’ll find more about the elbow joint replacements and reconstructions performed by Dr. Cole and the Fracture Care Center team.
The health and well-being of the elbows is required for a productive lifestyle. For elbow injury concerns, or to schedule an appointment, contact us.
Treatments
At the Florida Hospital Orthopaedic Institute Fracture Care Center (FCC), patients will find an unrivaled level of care and treatment for all types of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. This long history of successful outcomes is due in no small part to the leadership of J. Dean Cole, MD, a pioneer in orthopaedic traumatology. As the Medical Director, Dr. Cole has gathered together an assemblage of skilled and experienced surgeons and orthopaedic professionals.
The Fracture Care Center team is uniquely skilled at diagnosing and treating injuries affecting extremities, and in particular, the elbows and its associated joints. Much of the success experienced by the Center’s staff is due to Dr. Cole’s emphasis on performing minimally invasive surgery, which eliminates large incisions. As such, patients’ bones and soft tissues are continually supplied with blood. This improves the healing process, and reduces the risk for infections and complications.
State-of-the-Art Inventions & Technique Innovations
When it comes to providing minimally invasive procedures to treat elbow fracture concerns, or similar injuries and conditions, these procedures must be performed by orthopaedic surgeons possessing a specific skill and knowledge. Dr. Cole has amassed years of experience in performing his own unique MIS approach. He has actually invented and patented multiple devices, applications, and techniques now utilized by surgeons worldwide. His surgical innovations have allowed the Center to better address complex problems in a standardized fashion, which result improved outcomes for our patients.
Dr. Cole and his colleagues, Drs Vickaryous and Hawks, utilize a wide array of hardware to provide “internal fixation” of elbow injuries and conditions, including metal plates, rods, screws, and wires. Dr. Cole’s own invention, a specially designed cable mechanism, is implanted for elbow fracture treatment options, as well as other elbow problems. This state-of-the-art system provides patients with a stable, secure method to repair separated bones.
This cable mechanism also eliminates the need for future orthopaedic procedures to remove the involved hardware. This is in stark contrast to the traditional open surgical approach for elbow fracture treatment. The benefits include increased recovery time, and lower risks for complications and the possibility of multiple surgeries.
Our elbows are crucial for mobility and basic tasks. If you are experiencing an elbow injury or conditions contact our orthopaedic specialists in Orlando.