Elbow ligament injury

General information

An elbow ligament injury is a traumatic injury to the ligaments of the elbow joint, resulting in instability and pain in the joint. 

Complete or partial rupture of the ligaments of the elbow joint is a rather rare injury for the household group of pathologies, but it is frequent among sports and professional injuries. It consists of damage to the tendon located on the inner side of the elbow joint, which leads to a sharp limitation of arm functionality, pain, and inability to continue work, sports, and normal lifestyle.

If elbow ligament rupture is suspected, treatment should be started immediately after the incident so that irreversible changes in the ligamentous apparatus of the elbow do not occur. Self-treatment is inadmissible because incorrect actions can lead to immobilization of the upper limb; the patient subsequently needs multistage surgical treatment. In case of any symptoms of elbow ligament damage, you should contact a competent traumatologist for help. 

Symptoms of trauma

Apparent symptoms of elbow ligament rupture occur immediately after the injury. They do not diminish, but, on the contrary, progress over time.

Signs and symptoms of trauma:

• A crunching sound during impact or movement. The sound may be quite distinct.
• Pain in the shoulder and forearm’s inner part increases with movement. The pain can vary in intensity from aching to very severe.
• A hematoma forming on the inside of the elbow.
• Swelling of the shoulder, elbow, and forearm areas.
• Inability to move the hand, make normal movements and throw and hold an object in the palm of the hand.
• Numbness of the palm of the hand, fingers of the upper extremity, tingling.

Based on the data of anamnesis and external examination, the trauma surgeon determines the most indicative diagnostic methods in this case.

Causes of elbow ligament tears

Radial ligament injury sometimes accompanies other upper extremity injuries. It can occur in arm fractures, dislocation of the articulation, contusions, and soft tissue injuries. However, the cause is more often a strong blow to the elbow during sports or a fight.

Major damaging factors:

• A strong punch with a ball, foot, or hard object on the elbow. It can happen in sports games: volleyball, basketball, and tennis, as well as when throwing a discus or javelin.
• Strong and sharp extension of the arm at the elbow.
• Falling on the arm extended forward or on the elbow.
• A spurt in lifting heavy weights; prolonged work involving heavy lifting.
• Congenital joint deformities.
• Infectious lesion.

In the risk group for this injury – people whose activities are associated with regular movement of heavy objects, excessive loads on the arm, lifting weights.

Injury does not depend on age and can occur in youth and mature years. However, the condition of the ligamentous apparatus is affected by certain diseases that serve as predisposing factors: myositis, tendonitis, fasciitis, ligamentitis, and myodystrophy.

Diagnosis of trauma

Most often used diagnostic methods are following:

• Computed tomography to visualize joint and bone structures and their possible damage.
• MRI to evaluate the condition of ligaments, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.
• Radiography to visualize all structures of the elbow.
• Arthroscopy to diagnose a rupture.

If necessary, the doctor prescribes additional diagnostic techniques to determine the pathologic causes of injury, hidden diseases, and concomitant injuries.

Types of elbow ligament injuries

The type and extent of the injury determine the treatment tactics. For serious trauma, surgical treatment may be performed immediately after the traumatic incident to prevent the typical complications from developing.

In terms of the timing of injury formation, injuries are:

• Sudden, overnight.
• Gradual, progressing over time as a result of pathologic internal or external factors.

Stages of damage:

• Initial. A small partial tear of the ligament occurs.
• The second, with an incomplete tear.
• Final, with complete rupture of the ligamentous tissue, capsule lesion, and cartilage.

Sometimes, the type of injury cannot be determined by visual examination alone. Therefore, high-precision diagnostics is necessary to visualize the joint structures, surrounding tissues, and bones.

Treatment of elbow ligament tears

Treatment after such an injury is not complicated, most patients need immobilization of the upper extremity and physical rest.

For pain symptoms, the following methods are usually used:

• Cold compresses in the first hours after the incident.
• Medical therapy: anti-inflammatory drugs, myorelaxants, analgesics, vitamins.
• Physical therapy.

Massage, balneotherapy, and acupuncture are used in rehabilitation. The articulation and soft tissues are gradually developed.

Surgery for elbow ligament tears

A mild injury can be treated with conservative methods. However, complete damage to the ligamentous apparatus of the elbow joint requires surgical correction to prevent complications.

The surgery is performed in an open, traditional, or minimally invasive form. The intervention consists of surgical sutures to connect the damaged areas of ligaments and muscles.

In severe cases, elbow ligament repair with autological material, which is more often taken from the palmar ligament, is necessary. After surgery, the joint is stabilized with metal structures until the ligamentous tissue is completely healed.

All these treatment options are available in more than 670 hospitals worldwide (https://doctor.global/results/diseases/elbow-ligament-injury). For example, Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection into the ligament/joint can be done in 5 clinics across Germany for an approximate price of $1,2 K (https://doctor.global/results/europe/germany/all-cities/all-specializations/procedures/platelet-rich-plasma-prp-injection-into-the-ligamentjoint). 

Rehabilitation after elbow ligament rupture

The symptoms and treatment of elbow ligament rupture depend on the type and degree of damage. After conservative treatment, returning to work and living an everyday life in 3-6 months is possible. Postoperative recovery may take up to one and a half years.

As a result of self-treatment or incorrect implementation of a doctor’s recommendations, stiffness of the elbow joint may occur, which will complicate a person’s future life. It is necessary to consult a doctor in time and follow his recommendations precisely.

The doctor will select exercises to be performed every day to restore mobility. To increase blood circulation in the area of the injury, you can gently perform a self-massage and undergo physical therapy.

Hospitalization in the first minutes of injury is an essential prerequisite for the effectiveness of further treatment measures. Trauma surgeons with extensive experience perform surgical refixation of ligaments in various localizations.