Elbow

The elbow joint is a highly complex joint, being in fact not one joint but several joints which act in combination. Despite its complexity, elbow problems are significantly less common than in many other joints.

Elbow surgery is highly specialised and tends to be carried out by individuals with a dedicated interest in elbow surgery.

Once again, the problems which occur in the elbow can be divided into groups based upon age. In the young, problems sometimes occur as a result of the formation of loose bodies within the elbow joint and these commonly occur as a result of a condition called osteochondritis dissecans. In middle age, the commonest complaint is of elbow pain as a result of a tennis elbow syndrome (lateral epicondylitis). In the older age group, pain and stiffness may reflect osteoarthritic changes.