Tennis Elbow Pain Treatment in NYC

Why Do I Need Elbow Surgery?

Have you ever needed elbow surgery because of hurting it while doing an everyday activity? If you have, you know that our elbow joints allow us to flex, bend, rotate, and reach our arms. It is also extremely easy to hurt this area of our arm by doing a simple daily activity. Tennis elbow is a common condition in many individuals, if this were to happen, you must seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you require Tennis Elbow Pain Treatment in NYC, Dr. David Altchek, MD, can give you the treatment you are looking for. Dr. Altchek is a talented orthopedic and sports medicine surgeon. He has years of experience in medical services.

Causes of Tennis Elbow

If you happen to experience an ache on the outside of your elbow and it turns into constant pain over time that goes into your forearms and wrist, you may have Tennis Elbow. Some causes include:

• Any repetitive forceful motion that pulls on the muscle and tendon can cause tennis elbow. 
• In tennis, hitting a backhand while gripping the racket can stress the forearm muscles.
• If your technique is off while playing tennis, it can put stress on the tendons that connect your forearm muscles to your elbow.
• You can get tennis elbow from other racquet sports like squash or racquetball.
• You can get tennis elbow from daily jobs and activities such as cutting down trees, painting, carpentry, playing instruments, kitchen work, plumbing, working on cars, or working on an assembly line.
• Certain sports, such as golf, tennis, and baseball, are all sports with a repeating motion of the elbow.
• Leaning on your elbow for a long time at work can cause painful swelling to the joint. 
• Lifting and holding a heavy item like a briefcase.

Ways to Prevent Tennis Elbow

Adjustments can be made to prevent Tennis Elbow, including:

• Keep your arms and wrists strong and flexible- build strength with lighter weights.
• Warm up and stretch before every activity that involves making the same motion over and over.
• Do not make many repetitive movements.
• If you play a sport with a racquet, make sure all equipment is the correct size and fit.
• General safety tips– Don’t drink too much alcohol, avoid slippery sidewalks, and slow down to prevent accidents in a hurry.
• Take lessons to learn the correct techniques of sports such as golf, tennis, and baseball.
• Strengthen your bones to reduce the chance of breaking one if you fall or get into an accident- Eat a lot of calcium and vitamin D and get exercise to improve balance as well.
• Squeeze a tennis ball for 5 minutes at a time or do wrist curls with light weights.

Why Should You Choose Dr. Altchek For Tennis Elbow Pain Treatment in NYC

We are constantly using our elbows to move and function correctly. Individuals should never allow elbow pain to control their lives. It’s important to know what type of treatment you need for your condition and what doctor is best for that situation. Dr. Altchek is a second-generation orthopedic physician and Co-Chief Emeritus at the Hospital for Special Surgery. He is one of the lead consultants to the NBA and is a top doctor for many professional athletes. If you require Tennis Elbow Pain Treatment in NYC, Dr. David Altchek, MD, specializes in several services to aid patients:

• Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
• Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)
• Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Injuries
• Dislocation
• Biceps Tendon Rupture
• Bursitis
• Throwing Injuries

Schedule An Appointment with Dr. Altchek: Tennis Elbow Pain Treatment in NYC

Tennis Elbow affects 3% of people between the ages of 30 and 50. Adults should be aware of common injuries in people their age to be cautious of themselves. If you are noticing a manageable pain in your elbow that slowly turns worse, it is time to get it checked up with the right doctor. Dr. Altchek is one of the best-known doctors in New York. He will take the time to evaluate your needs and make an adjustment just for you to get you back to doing what you love! 

Dr. Altchek is committed to providing top-notch care to anyone who needs his services. If you require Tennis Elbow Pain Treatment in NYC, contact Dr. David Altchek, MD, and get the help you need! 

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Request An Appointment For Tennis Elbow Pain Treatment in NYC

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What is UCL Reconstruction Surgery?

What is UCL Reconstruction Surgery?

UCL stands for the ulnar collateral ligament. This ligament is in the elbow. This procedure involves a surgeon repairing the injured UCL by replacing it with a tendon taken from another part of the patient’s body. The surgery is commonly done on athletes who are at an increased risk of injuring the UCL ligament in their elbow. Baseball players commonly receive this surgery because of the tension that is put on their elbows. If you have injured your UCL and need surgery, contact Dr. David Altchek for Tennis Elbow Pain Treatment in NYC.

What are the symptoms of a UCL injury?

Typically, UCL injuries are common in baseball players. However, there are additional sports where UCL injuries can occur. These sports include:

• Javelin throw
• Tennis
• Gymnastics
• Soccer
• Football
• Wrestling
• Cheerleading

If you are an athlete in the sports above, it is important to understand the probable symptoms of a UCL injury. Some of the most common symptoms of UCL injuries are elbow pain and a feeling of instability and looseness in the elbow. Another symptom is irritation of the ulnar nerve, also known as the funny bone. This can turn into numbness or tingling in the ring finger and small finger. These symptoms interfere with throwing or other elbow movements in sports, making it easier to recognize that you may have a UCL tear. Additionally, sometimes UCL tears can cause difficulty during activities besides throwing in sports. These activities include:

• Lifting weights
• Running
• Doing daily activities
• Batting (baseball)
• Basic exercise

UCL tears can cause lots of difficulty in sports but also activities in our daily lives. Hence, it is important to seek medical help if you suspect a UCL injury. For Tennis Elbow Pain Treatment in NYC, contact Dr. David Altchek. 

Is surgery the first treatment option?

UCL injuries are typically treated with ice, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, and rest. Physical therapy can then be used to help strengthen the muscles around the UCL to help ease the muscle into recovery. However, many athletes opt for the UCL reconstruction surgery because it allows them to go back to their sport and have a recovered, strong UCL. The UCL reconstruction surgery can be a first treatment option, especially for athletes who want to go back to throwing in sports and those who don’t respond to rest, ice, and medications. Doctors like David Altchek can perform a Tennis Elbow Pain Treatment in NYC and help his patients get back to throwing at the level they were before their injury.

What happens during UCL reconstruction surgery?

During UCL reconstruction surgery, a tendon is taken from another part of the patient’s body and used to repair the damaged ligament. Some of the body parts that a tendon can be taken from include:

• Wrist
• Toe
• Forearm
• Hamstring
• Hip
• Knee
• Foot

The tendon used is also called a graft. To reconstruct the damaged ligament, a surgeon drills tunnels in the ulna and humerus. The tendon is placed through the tunnels and is intertwined following a figure-eight pattern with the ligament to reconstruct it. The original ligament is attached to the tendon to stabilize and strengthen it. Although this surgery effectively stabilizes the UCL, complications like damage to the ulnar nerve, hematomas, and infections can happen. 

UCL reconstruction surgery recovery process

It usually takes a year for patients to recover from UCL reconstruction surgery. Rehabilitation is a process, which is why it is typically divided into three phases. Continue reading below for more information on the phases of rehabilitation.

Phase 1:

• Total body rehabilitation exercises
• Wearing a splint for a week
• Simple range of motion exercises for the wrist, shoulder, and hand
• Exercises to strengthen the shoulder

Phase 2:

• About 6 weeks after surgery
• Avoid activities that put excess stress on the UCL and tendon for about 4 months
• Practicing elbow strengthening activities

Phase 3 (athletes):

• After 4 or 5 months: throw/toss a ball without winding up
• After 6 months: practice winding up, but not too fast
• After 7 months: for baseball players, pitchers can return to pitching
• After 9 months: pitchers can pitch in a game but only if they have no pain and are back to their prior strength level before injury. 

If you have injured your UCL, Dr. David Altchek can help you get back to where you were before the injury. He uses Tennis Elbow Pain Treatment in NYC to help his patients live pain-free and get back to sports as soon as possible. Contact Dr. David Altchek to schedule an appointment! 

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Injuries An Orthopedic Surgeon Treats

Orthopedic surgeons treat a variety of conditions. These conditions range from bone, joint, ligament, tendon, and nerve injuries. Orthopedic surgeons treat injuries that occur in the musculoskeletal system of the body. The injuries they treat range from car-accident-related, aging injuries to sports injuries. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Altchek is an experienced surgeon with years of treating patients with orthopedic injuries. He is a top Tennis Elbow Pain Treatment in NYC and provides the best-suited treatment for his injuries. Continue reading below for more information on common injuries treated by an orthopedic surgeon.

Back and Spinal Cord Injuries:

Chronic back pain is a common injury many people experience. The pain can be debilitating, put a strain on daily life and affect your current lifestyle. The back and spinal cord are very important and sensitive areas of our body; therefore, any pain should be treated immediately. An orthopedic surgeon can treat various back injuries like a herniated disc, pinched nerve, or spine-related injuries. 

Knee Injuries:

The knee is a crucial part of our body because it helps us walk, run, stand, play sports, etc. The three main parts of the knee are the patella, tibia, and femur, and they have tissue surrounding them for support. Some knee injuries that Dr. David Altchek, Tennis Elbow Pain Treatment in NYC, can treat are the following:

• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries
• Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injuries
• Arthritis

Some treatment options for the above injuries include:

• Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
• Total Knee Replacement
• Partial Knee Replacement
• ACL Reconstruction

Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries are another common injury treated by orthopedic surgeons. Shoulder injuries typically occur due to overuse, trauma, or repetitive motion to the shoulder. The shoulder is very flexible and has a high range of motion; therefore, it is common to experience injuries to this joint. Shoulder injuries can be very painful and reduce your range of motion. Orthopedic surgeons treat many types of shoulder injuries, including the following:

• Rotator Cuff Tears
• Shoulder Tendonitis
• Frozen Shoulder
• Shoulder Instability
• Dead Arm Syndrome

These types of shoulder injuries can be treated by Dr. David Altchek, who is an Tennis Elbow Pain Treatment in NYC. He can treat your shoulder injuries through the following treatment options:

• Shoulder replacement
• Reverse shoulder replacement
• Shoulder instability surgery
• Arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery

Sports Injuries

The NYC best-rated orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Altchek is a talented orthopedic surgeon with years of experience treating orthopedic injuries, including athletes. Sports injuries are very common because of the pressure and strain put on their joints during games and practice. Sports injuries can be caused by trauma during a game or practice, overuse of a muscle/joint, or lacking flexibility. Dr. David Altchek treats athletes with the best-suited plan for their lifestyle to get them back to their sport, recovered, and ready to play. Some of the common sports injuries that orthopedic surgeons like Dr. David Altchek treat include:

• Sprains
  • A sprain is an injury affecting the ligament. A common sprain injury affecting athletes is ankle sprains which can result from falls, twisting, etc.
• Strains
  • A strain is an injury that affects a muscle or tendon. Athletes typically strain their hamstrings, lower back, or calves due to overstretching. 
• Overuse injuries
  • Overuse injuries occur when soft tissue is damaged due to constant stress, which overstretches them and leads to tears. Overtraining can cause overuse injuries of the shoulder, elbow, foot, and ankle. Therefore, it is important to rest and not overwork yourself to the point of injury. 
• Fractures 
• Dislocations
  • Both fractures and dislocations can occur due to sudden trauma to the ankle, shoulder, wrist, etc. 

Orthopedic surgeons use a variety of surgical techniques to treat the above injuries. Orthopedic surgeons who treat sports injuries have their patient’s best interest and will find the best treatment suited for the athlete to get them back to their sport.

Contact Us: Tennis Elbow Pain Treatment in NYC

Dr. David Altchek is an orthopedic surgeon who puts his patients first and works with them to develop a treatment plan best suited for their goals and lifestyle. He treats knee, back, spinal, and sports injuries as an orthopedic surgeon. His years of experience as an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist help him treat his patients with the best, most effective care for their injuries. Contact Dr. David Altchek, an Tennis Elbow Pain Treatment in NYC, today for your orthopedic and sports injury needs!