Eating, riding a bike, carrying groceries — these are just a few daily activities that all go smoothly when you’re working with a pain-free elbow.
Elbows are those joints that you don’t think about much — until something goes wrong. That’s when you realize just how much you rely on your elbows.
As a musculoskeletal specialist and board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. William Schell understands better than most how elbow pain can impact your life, and we’re here to help.
The first step is figuring out whether your elbow problem can benefit from a higher standard of care, so it’s a good idea to follow these rules of thumb,
We’re going to assume that you’re reading this because your elbow is in pain. If this is the case, please know that this discomfort is your body’s way of getting your attention.
Pain of any kind shouldn’t be ignored, especially when it occurs in a major joint like your elbow. If you ignore the pain, you run the risk of making the problem worse as you continue to use your elbow. Or, you might even start to favor your other arm, which can make that one feel sore, too.
When you’re in pain, it’s an excellent idea to have us check it out — at the very least, you can get a better idea about what you’re up against.
Staying with the pain thread, if your elbow pain has remained the same and you’ve been using the RICE method for a few days (rest, icing, compression, and elevation), then it’s time to get to the bottom of the lingering discomfort.
If your pain is worsening, that’s an even bigger sign that you need orthopedic medical attention.
If you’re struggling to move your elbow because it’s stiff or the joint is weaker than it normally is, we should figure out what’s behind the weakness and loss of function.
For example, let’s say you’re trying to pick up a bag and your elbow gives way or you’re unable to turn your forearm and hand a certain way — these are signs that there’s some connective tissue damage in the joint that might need repair.
By taking action promptly to address your elbow pain, not only can we get you some much-needed relief, but we can also help you avoid potentially larger problems down the road.
To come in for a comprehensive evaluation of your elbow pain, we invite you to contact Dr. Schell and our team at our New York City office — located on Columbus Circle on the Upper West Side — at 646-381-2646 to set up an appointment. You can also message us by clicking here.
